Vineyard apparatus, system, and method for vineyard mechanization

ABSTRACT

For more than thirty-two years, extensive research studies involving various concepts of total vineyard mechanization have been carried out at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station under the direction of Justin R. Morris (22). Tommy Oldridge was one of the first growers in the region to commercially test, implement and improve upon the findings of these research studies. These studies at the University of Arkansas have involved the evaluation of trellising and training systems suitable for total vineyard mechanization, mechanical shoot positioning, mechanical pruning, mechanical thinning, mechanical harvesting, and the post-harvest handling and utilization of mechanically harvested grapes (2, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 35). The success of this approach to vineyard mechanization has been the fact that it has concentrated on minimizing or eliminating all limiting factors impacting the system while maintaining, or in some cases improving, fruit quality. Also, the researchers have constantly developed, modified and evaluated new equipment for the mechanization of each viticultural operation requiring hand labor. A major effort has been placed on accomplishing these objectives without any loss in fruit quality.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/950,301 filed Oct. 14, 1997, which is a continuation-in-partof provisional application Serial No. 60/035,216 filed Jan. 7, 1997, andis also a continuation-in-part of provisional application Serial No.60/049,285 filed Jun. 10, 1997. Each of these provisional applicationsare hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention is directed to vineyard apparatus, systems,and methods, and, more particularly concerns, machinery, devices,systems, and methods for completely or partially mechanizing grapegrowing and harvesting while maintaining or improving vineyardconsistency and fruit quality. The present invention applies to bothwine and juice grape types, is adapted to a substantial number ofdifferent trellis types and training systems, and is especially usefulin established vineyards, for example having been trained for aboutthree or more years.

[0005] Grapes are consumed in a larger quantity and in more differentproduct types than any other fruit crop on a global basis. The majoruses for grapes are for wine, raisins, fresh market, juice (andconcentrate), and in canned products (such as fruit cocktail). Table 1shows the important grape producing countries of the world.

[0006] Chapter XX, “Grape Growing”, by Justin R. Morris, in the text“Modern Fruit Science” by Norman F. Childers, Justin R. Morris, and G.Steven Sibbet, published by Horticultural Publications, Gainsville,Fla., 1995, is hereby incorporated by reference. More particularly, asdescribed on pages 478-482 including Table III and FIGS. 24-27,mechanical pruning equipment has reduced the man hours required forgrape pruning. Page 484 describes mechanical harvesting, and page 485describes the economics of vineyard mechanization. As described on pages491-494 and as shown in FIGS. 38 and 40, vinifera grapes for processingare mechanically harvested and power pruned using tractor powered,hand-held pneumatic power shears in an effort to reduce labor costs.

[0007] Although mechanical harvesters, mechanical shoot positioners, andmechanical pruning devices have been known for some time, heretofore, acommercially viable and effective system and apparatus for completemechanization of the growing and harvesting of wine and juice grapecultivars has not been developed. Although attempts have been made atvineyard mechanization, they have fallen short in that they eitherrequire excessive follow-up hand operations or other manual labor, donot provide for mechanization of both upright and drooping growth habitgrape cultivars, are not adjustable, adaptable, or versatile enough tobe used with a multitude of trellis types or training systems, are notcost effective, do not maintain fruit quality, and the like.

[0008] For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,426,517; 3,439,482; 3,473,311;3,563,016; 3,559,386; 3,601,964; 3,613,343; 3,715,876; 3,727,388;3,760,574; 3,766,724; 3,783,595; 3,866,401; 3,889,454; 3,890,774;3,890,775; 3,939,629; 3,996,730; 4,016,711; 4,022,001; 4,035,572;4,112,657; 4,207,727 4,112,657; 4,207,727; 4,241,569; 4,251,983;4,282,705; 4,291,526; 4,299,081; 4,321,786; 4,370,847; 4,391,085;5,339,612; 5,355,667; and 5,423,166 are directed to or disclose grapeharvesting or grape harvester equipment or machinery.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,618, issued to Tommy L. Oldridge on Apr. 7,1992, discloses an improved grapevine comber (shoot positioning) machineor device including a pivoting counterforce brush for use with anunderslung grapevine comber for cleaning and positioning shoots of thegrapevine overhanging the guide wires of a divided canopy, and is herebyincorporated by reference.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,444, issued to Tommy L. Oldridge on Aug. 13,1996, discloses a single curtain wine and juice grape vine cane prunerand is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0011] Other patents of general interest include U.S. Pat. No. 3,901,006directed to a vine combing (shoot positioning) machine, U.S. Pat. No.4,333,266 directed to a viticultural process and vine-dressing machine,and U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,705 directed to a machine for trimming anddisbudding vine shoots for subsequent use as graft supports.

[0012] Hence, there exists a need throughout the viticultural world foran improved vineyard apparatus, system and method for partial orcomplete vineyard mechanization and to modify, trellis, and traingrapevines so that expensive hand operations can be economicallymechanized without any substantial loss of yield while maintaining orimproving vineyard consistency and fruit quality.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In accordance with the present invention, a vineyard apparatus,method and system for complete or partial mechanization of grape growingand harvesting or viticulture is provided which addresses theshortcomings of the prior art and makes provision for viticulturemechanization without a substantial decrease in yield and whilemaintaining or improving vineyard consistency and fruit quality,especially in established vineyards.

[0014] For more than thirty-two years, extensive research studiesinvolving various concepts of vineyard mechanization have been carriedout at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station under the directionof Justin R. Morris (22). Tommy Oldridge was one of the first growers inthe region to commercially test, implement, and improve upon thefindings of these research studies.

[0015] These studies at the University of Arkansas have involved theevaluation of trellising and training systems suitable for completevineyard mechanization, mechanical shoot positioning, mechanicalpruning, mechanical thinning, mechanical harvesting, and thepost-harvest handling and utilization of mechanically harvested grapes(2, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 35). The success of this approach tovineyard mechanization has been the fact that it has concentrated onminimizing or eliminating all limiting factors impacting the systemwhile maintaining, or in some cases improving, fruit quality. Also, newequipment has been developed, modified and evaluated for themechanization of each viticultural operation requiring hand labor. Amajor effort has been placed on accomplishing these objectives withoutany substantial loss in fruit quality.

[0016] A principal object of the present invention is the provision ofan improved system, apparatus and method for vineyard mechanization.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is the provision of ashoot and fruit thinner for mechanical fruit and shoot thinning, a fullrow GDC harvester, a modified half-row and modified full row GDCfloating, shaking, rotating head harvester, a modified slapper, amodified “U” trellis, and/or a modified cordon wire support assembly, aguide wire anchoring support unit for facilitating mechanization.

[0018] Still another object of the present invention is the provision ofrespective complete and partial mechanization systems, apparatus, andmethods for mechanization of Vitis labruscana, Vitis vinifera,French-American hybrids, American hybrids, as well as other grapespecies and cultivars.

[0019] Still yet another object of the present invention is theprovision of a Morris-Oldridge vineyard mechanization system, apparatusand method adapted for use with a single curtain trellis, Geneva DoubleCurtain (GDC) trellis, California T-trellis, high wire bilateral cordon,standard vertical movable catch wire, Lyre or “U”, other divided canopytrellises, vertical shoot position (VSP), minimal pruning (MP or MPCT inAustralia), Smart-Dyson ballerina trellis, modified forms of suchtrellises or training systems, or the like.

[0020] Another and more particular object of the present invention is avineyard system, apparatus and method for mechanization of Vitislabruscana grapes on a single curtain trellis, minimal pruned Vitislabruscana grapes on a GDC trellis system, minimal pruned Vitislabruscana grapes on single curtain trellis system, Vitis vinifera andFrench-American hybrid grapes on standard California T-trellis, highwire bilateral cordon and standard vertical movable catch wires, minimalpruned Vitis vinifera and French-American hybrid grapes on high wiresingle curtain trellising system, and Vitis vinifera and French-Americanhybrid grapes on GDC, Lyre or “U”, a modified “U”, other divided canopytrellises, and the like.

[0021] Other objects and further scope of the applicability of thepresent invention will become apparent from the detailed description tofollow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein likeparts are designated by like reference numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0022]FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of the United Statesindicating the major grape producing regions.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a front plan view representation of a shoot and fruitthinner for Vitis vinifera, French-American hybrid, American hybrids andsome cultivars of other species of grapes.

[0024]FIG. 3 is a rear plan view illustration of the shoot and fruitthinner of FIG. 2.

[0025]FIG. 4 is a left plan view representation of the shoot and fruitthinner of FIG. 2.

[0026]FIG. 5 is a right plan view illustration of the shoot and fruitthinner of FIG. 2.

[0027]FIG. 6 is a front plan view representation of another shoot andfruit thinner.

[0028]FIG. 7 is a rear plan view illustration of the shoot and fruitthinner of FIG. 6.

[0029]FIG. 8 is a rear plan view of another embodiment of a shoot andfruit thinner with vertical extensions for each of the thinner arms andwith the thinner having right and left circular rotary striker orthinning finger assemblies for use with vertical moveable catch wiretrellis and Lyre or “U” trellis.

[0030]FIG. 9 is a rear plan view representation of an alternative shootand fruit thinner embodiment with horizontal and vertical extensionsadapted for use with a California T-irellis.

[0031]FIG. 10 is a front plan view illustration of a shoot and fruitthinner embodiment having one circular rotary striker with a chain drivearrangement for transmitting rotary motion from a hydraulic motor to therotary striker.

[0032]FIG. 11 is a left side view representation of the shoot and fruitthinner of FIG. 10.

[0033]FIG. 12 is a right side view illustration of the shoot and fruitthinner of FIG. 10.

[0034]FIG. 13 is a front view representation of a circular, rotarystriker assembly.

[0035]FIG. 14 is a rear view illustration of the circular, rotarystriker assembly of FIG. 13.

[0036]FIGS. 15 and 16 are respective rear plan view illustrations ofalternative fruit and shoot thinner embodiments each having a brush uniton one arm and a circular, rotary striker on the other arm for use witha Lyre, or “U”, or modified “U” trellis.

[0037]FIG. 17 is a side view illustration of a shoot and fruit thinnerembodiment with a brush unit on one arm.

[0038]FIG. 18 is a front view representation of the brush unit on theshoot and fruit thinner of FIG. 17.

[0039]FIG. 19 is a front view illustration of a shoot and fruit thinnerembodiment having a brush unit on one arm and a circular, rotary strikerassembly on the other arm.

[0040]FIG. 20 is a rear view illustration of a shoot and fruit thinnerembodiment having a brush unit attached to an elongate arm for use witha Lyre or “U”, or modified “U” trellis.

[0041]FIG. 21 is a rear view representation of another shoot and fruitthinner embodiment having a brush unit extending from an arm on theopposite side as that shown in FIG. 20.

[0042]FIG. 22 is a rear view illustration of a shoot and fruit thinnerembodiment having first and second brush units extending from one sidethereof and adapted for use with a Lyre or “U”, or a modified “U”trellis.

[0043]FIG. 23 is a rear view illustration of a shoot and fruit thinnerembodiment having an oval rotary striker assembly mounted on the end ofan elongate arm.

[0044]FIG. 24 is a rear plan view representation of a shoot and fruitthinner embodiment having right and left oval rotary striker assembliesmounted on the base of each arm and adapted for use with a CaliforniaT-trellis.

[0045] FIGS. 25-33 are schematic elevational view representations ofexemplary shoot and fruit thinner arrangements or embodiments indicatingthe versatility of the shoot and fruit thinner of the present inventionas it is adapted for use with a variety of trellises and in a variety ofarrangements. Brushes are used for total removal of unwanted shoots andstrikers are for thinning unwanted shoots and fruit. More particularly,FIG. 25 is a schematic representation of a shoot and fruit thinnerhaving a brush unit mounted almost vertically on one arm and a rotarycircular striker mounted on the end of the other arm thereof, for use ondouble curtain trellising systems.

[0046]FIG. 26 is a schematic illustration of a shoot and fruit thinnerhaving a brush unit mounted substantially horizontally at the end of onearm and a circular rotary striker mounted on the end of the other armthereof, for use on double curtain trellising systems.

[0047]FIG. 27 is a schematic representation of a shoot and fruit thinnerembodiment having an oval rotary striker assembly mounted on the base ofone arm, a circular rotary striker assembly mounted on the base of theother arm and with the strikers or fingers of the oval and circularunits overlapping one another near a cordon.

[0048]FIG. 28 is a schematic illustration of a shoot and fruit thinnerhaving an oval rotary striker assembly mounted on the base of each armthereof with the strikers or fingers overlapping one another near thecordon.

[0049]FIG. 29 is a schematic illustration of a shoot and fruit thinnerhaving a rotary circular striker assembly mounted at the base of each oftwo elongate arms and adapted for use with a modified Lyre or “U”trellis.

[0050]FIG. 30 is a schematic illustration of a shoot and fruit thinnersimilar to that of FIG. 8 adapted for use with a standard verticalmovable catch wire system.

[0051]FIG. 31 is a schematic illustration of a shoot and fruit thinneradapted for use with a California-T trellis.

[0052]FIG. 32 is a schematic representation of a shoot and fruit thinnersimilar to that shown in FIGS. 2-7 of the drawings and adapted for usewith a single curtain high bilateral cordon system.

[0053]FIG. 33 is a schematic illustration of a shoot and fruit thinnerarrangement having a rotary oval striker arrangement mounted on the baseof one arm and a rotary circular striker assembly mounted at the base ofthe other arm and adapted for use with a standard or modified Lyre or“U” trellis.

[0054]FIG. 34 is a front plan view representation of an improved leafremover or fan and blade unit for removing leaves and small shoots fromone side of a standard vertical movable catch wire system.

[0055]FIG. 35 is a partial side view illustration of the leaf remover ofFIG. 34 with an adjustable cover.

[0056]FIG. 36 is a front view representation of an improved dual fanunit leaf remover with a leading and trailing fan unit and adapted foruse with a Lyre or “U” trellis system.

[0057]FIG. 37 is a top view illustration of the dual fan unit leafremover of FIG. 36.

[0058]FIG. 38 is a side view illustration of the trailing fan unit ofFIG. 37 with adjustable grates.

[0059] FIGS. 38A-38D relate to the adjustable bars or grate elements forthe fan units of FIGS. 36-38. More particularly, FIG. 38A is a bottomview illustration of one of the adjustable bars.

[0060]FIG. 38B is a cross-section representation of the bar of FIG. 38Ataken along line 38B-38B.

[0061]FIG. 38C is a cross-section illustration of an alternativeadjustable bar having a semicircular rather than a rectangularcross-section of the adjustable bar of FIGS. 38A and 38B.

[0062]FIG. 38D is a cross-section illustration of an alternativeadjustable bar having a triangular rather than a rectangularcross-section of the adjustable bar of FIGS. 38A and 38B.

[0063]FIG. 39 is a front view representation of a modified leaf removeradapted for use with a highwire single curtain bilateral cordon trellissystem and including a cane lifter.

[0064]FIG. 40 is a side view illustration of the leaf remover of FIG.39.

[0065]FIG. 41 is a front view illustration of a single trellis shootpositioner.

[0066]FIG. 42 is a front view representation of a divided canopy comberas described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,618 issued to Tommy Oldridge.

[0067]FIG. 42A is a front view representation of a GDC full-row comberincorporating operative elements as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,618issued to Tommy Oldridge.

[0068]FIG. 43 is a front view representation of a GDC half-row shootpositioner and pruner trimmer which is similar to the comber describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,618 issued to Tommy Oldridge (FIG. 42) with theaddition of cutting sickles.

[0069]FIG. 43A is a front view representation of a GDC full-row shootpositioner and pruner trimmer which combines two sets of the workingelements' of the shoot positioner and pruner trimmer shown in FIG. 43.

[0070] FIGS. 44-47 are directed to the single curtain trellis pruner ofU.S. Pat. No. 5,544,444 issued to Tommy Oldridge and relate to FIGS. 2,4, 6, and 8 of that patent, respectively.

[0071] More particularly, FIG. 44 is a front view illustration of thepruner of U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,444.

[0072]FIG. 45 is a side view representation of the pruner of FIG. 44.

[0073]FIG. 46 is an enlarged top plan view of a vertical cane pruner ofthe single curtain grapevine pruner of FIGS. 44 and 45.

[0074]FIG. 47 is a front elevation view representation of horizontalcane pruners of the single curtain grapevine pruner of FIGS. 44 and 45.

[0075]FIG. 48 is a perspective view illustration of a center breakeradapted for use with GDC or other double curtain trellising systems.

[0076]FIG. 49 is a top view representation of the center breaker of FIG.48.

[0077]FIG. 50 is a perspective view illustration of a modified Ortonslapper adapted for use with GDC and other divided canopy trellisingsystems. This unit is a modification of a unit built by Roy Orton (grapegrower, Ripley, N.Y.).

[0078]FIG. 51 is a rear view representation of the modified, extendedstrikers on the modified Orton slapper of FIG. 50 in operation with aGDC-trellis.

[0079]FIG. 52 is a rear view illustration of the modified Orton slapperof FIG. 50 with extended strikers in use with a Lyre or “U” trellissystem.

[0080]FIG. 53 is a rear perspective view illustration of a bow, bow-heador Quad-rod fruit thinner adapted for use with a single curtain system.

[0081]FIG. 54 is a rear perspective view representation of a modifiedbow, bow-head or Quad-rod fruit thinner that can be adapted for use witha GDC or other divided canopy trellising system.

[0082]FIG. 55 is a schematic top view illustration of the bows of thebow-head or Quad-rod fruit thinner of FIG. 54.

[0083]FIG. 56 is a front perspective view illustration of a top and sidepruner.

[0084]FIG. 57 is a front perspective illustration of an adaption of theembodiment in FIG. 56 with two relatively short vertical sickles and ahorizontal sickle adapted for GDC or other divided canopy systems.

[0085]FIG. 58 is a front perspective representation of a single verticalsickle which trips rearwardly for summer pruning.

[0086]FIG. 59 is a partial rear view illustration of an angularlyadjustable summer cane pruner.

[0087]FIG. 60 is a top view illustration of the summer cane pruner ofFIG. 59.

[0088]FIG. 61 is a perspective view illustration of a horizontal rotarycutter.

[0089]FIG. 62 is a perspective view representation of a dual unithorizontal rotary cutter having leading and trailing cutting heads.

[0090]FIG. 63 is a top view illustration of the dual unit horizontalrotary cutter of FIG. 62.

[0091]FIG. 64 is a rear view illustration of a vertical rotary cutterand cane grabber.

[0092]FIG. 65 is a side view illustration of the vertical rotary cutterand cane grabber of FIG. 64.

[0093]FIG. 66 is a rear view illustration of an alternative verticalpruner and cane grabber unit with a vertical sickle or cutter.

[0094]FIG. 67 is a side view illustration of a modified Smart-Dysonballerina trellising system.

[0095]FIG. 68 is an end view illustration of the Smart-Dyson ballerinatrellising system of FIG. 67.

[0096]FIG. 69 is a front view representation of a leaf remover adaptedfor use with the top section of the Smart-Dyson ballerina trellisingsystem of FIGS. 67 and 68.

[0097]FIG. 70 is a rear view illustration of a vertical pruner and canegrabber unit adapted for use with the bottom section of the Smart-Dysonballerina trellising system.

[0098]FIG. 71 is a front perspective view illustration of a dual sicklehorizontal cutter having a short length, fixed upper sickle and anelongate lower sickle which trips rearwardly. This unit is amodification of a unit developed and tested by Dr. C. Intrieri ofBologna, Italy.

[0099]FIG. 72 is a front perspective view representation of a single barhorizontal cutter adapted for summer skirting and the like.

[0100]FIG. 73 is a front view illustration of a double or dual sicklehorizontal cutter having a short length, upper sickle and an elongatelower sickle on each side and which both trip rearwardly. The protrudingbumper guards in front of the lower sickles are designed to operate invineyards where each plant is supported by metal or wood stakes. Themetal bumper guard allows the unit to pass the post without damage.

[0101]FIG. 74 is a front perspective view illustration of an angularlyadjustable mast adapted for use on hillsides or sloping vineyards.

[0102]FIG. 75 is a schematic perspective representation of aconventional GDC trellising system designed by Dr. Nelson Shaulis, N.Y.Agr. Exp. Sta., Geneva, 14456.

[0103]FIG. 76 is a schematic end view representation of a modifiedvertical catch wire trellis (modified Lyre or “U”). The cross arms areflexible to allow for harvest mechanization. Also, note the location ofeach cordon to allow for space for the mechanization equipment tooperate. The inside movable stakes allow for rapid adjustment of catchwires following mechanical fruit thinning.

[0104]FIG. 77 is a partial cross-section illustration of the removable,adjustable pin attachment of the movable stakes of FIG. 76 taken alongline 77-77.

[0105]FIG. 78 is a schematic end view representation of an alternativeembodiment of a modified vertical catch wire system or a modified Lyreor “U” trellis. This trellis as well as the traditional Lyre or “U”system is not flexible and requires a modified harvesting system such asan adaption of a harvester built by G. DeGolier (grape grower,Westfield, N.Y.) but with twin harvesting heads and a single catchingsystem, to mechanically harvest both sides of the Lyre or “U” in onepass. Such a machine would contain two sets of beaters mounted side byside (FIG. 83).

[0106]FIG. 79 is a partial top view illustration of the adjustable postattachment elements of FIG. 78.

[0107]FIG. 80 is an end view representation of a modified Lyre or “U”trellis adapted for total mechanization. Note that the cordon is locatedapproximately 10 inches (25 cm) above the lower cross bar, this allowssufficient space for the operation of all mechanization equipmentincluding shoot and fruit thinner, leaf removal equipment, harvestingequipment, etc.

[0108]FIG. 81 is a perspective view representation of a guide wireanchoring support unit and trellis system that allows for the mechanizedequipment to enter the Lyre or “U” trellis.

[0109]FIG. 82 is a side view illustration of the anchor unit of FIG. 81.

[0110]FIG. 83 is a schematic front view illustration of a grapeharvester machine adapted for use with the modified Lyre or “U”-trellisof FIGS. 80 and 81. This harvester contains two picking heads and acollecting system with a conveyor belt under each picking head.

[0111]FIG. 84 is a schematic front view representation of a modifiedhalf-row, floating, at least vertically shaking, rotating head pickermechanical harvester adapted for use with a Lyre or “U” trellis modifiedto include a moveable cordon wire support, roller or slide assembly.

[0112]FIG. 84A is an enlarged front view illustration of the moveablecordon wire roller assembly of FIGS. 84 and 85.

[0113]FIG. 84D is an enlarged side view representation of a verticallyand horizontally shaking, floating, rotating picking head adapted foruse in the harvesters of FIGS. 84 and 85.

[0114]FIG. 84B is a cross-section illustration of the moveable cordonwire roller assembly taken along line 84B-84B in FIG. 84A.

[0115]FIG. 84C is a perspective view representation of a modified Lyreor “U” trellis having movable cordon wire roller assemblies, andreleasable catch and guide wires, and a modified wire anchor adapted foruse with the modified mechanical harvesters of FIGS. 84 and 85.

[0116]FIG. 85 is a schematic front view representation of a modifiedfull-row, floating, at least vertically shaking, rotating head pickermechanical harvester adapted for use with a Lyre or “U” trellis havingmoveable cordon wire roller or slide assemblies.

[0117] FIGS. 86-97 are seasonal charts showing respective embodiments ofthe Morris-Oldridge vineyard mechanization system in accordance with thepresent invention. More particularly, FIG. 86 is a seasonal chartshowing vineyard mechanization activities for Vitis labruscana and othergrapes with drooping growth habits on single curtain trellis systems.

[0118]FIG. 87 is a seasonal chart for vineyard mechanization of Vitislabruscana and other grapes with drooping growth habits on GDC trellisand GDC-like canopy systems.

[0119]FIG. 88 is a seasonal chart for vineyard mechanization activitieson minimal pruned Vitis labruscana and other grapes with drooping growthhabits on single curtain trellis systems.

[0120]FIG. 89 is a seasonal chart for vineyard mechanization activitieson minimal pruned Vitis labruscana and other grapes with drooping growthhabits on GDC trellis systems.

[0121]FIG. 90 is a seasonal chart for vineyard mechanization activitiesof Vitis vinifera and French-American hybrid grapes produced on highwire bilateral cordon systems.

[0122]FIG. 91 is a seasonal chart for vineyard mechanization activitiesof Vitis vinifera and other French-American hybrid grapes produced onGDC and other divided canopy trellises.

[0123]FIG. 92 is a seasonal chart for vineyard mechanization activitieson minimal pruned Vitis vinifera and French-American hybrid grapestrained on high wire single curtain trellising systems.

[0124]FIG. 93 is a seasonal chart for vineyard mechanization activitieson minimal pruned Vitis vinifera and French-American hybrid grapes onGDC trellis systems.

[0125]FIG. 94 is a seasonal chart for vineyard mechanization activitiesof Vitis vinifera and French-American hybrid grapes produced on standardCalifornia T-trellises.

[0126]FIG. 95 is a seasonal chart for vineyard mechanization activitiesof Vitis vinifera and French-American hybrid grapes produced on standardvertical movable catch wires.

[0127]FIG. 96 is a seasonal chart for vineyard mechanization activitiesof Vitis vinifera and French-American hybrid grapes produced on Lyre or“U” and other divided canopy trellises.

[0128]FIG. 97 is a seasonal chart for vineyard mechanization activitiesof Vitis vinifera and French-American hybrid grapes produced onSmart-Dyson ballerina trellising systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0129] Brief History of Vineyard Mechanization and Concerns

[0130]FIG. 1 of the drawings provides a schematic representation ofgrape production across the United States with black dots representingthe areas or regions of production and the size of the dots indicatingthe relative quantities of production. As shown in FIG. 1, California isthe largest grape producer followed by New York, Washington, Michigan,Pennsylvania, Ohio, Arizona, and Arkansas.

[0131] California produces almost entirely the European-type grape Vitisvinifera. The American-type, V. labruscana, or its hybrids withviniferas are grown mainly in the central and northeastern states.Muscadine, Vitis rotundifolia is grown mainly in the gulf and southernAtlantic states.

[0132] The following are the leading cultivars in California inapproximate order by acreage: ‘Thompson Seedless’ (RT); ‘FrenchColombard’ (wW); ‘Chardonnay’ (wW); ‘Zinfandel’ (rW); ‘CabernetSauvignon’ (rW); ‘Flame Seedless’ (T); ‘Flame Tokay’ (T); ‘Merlot’ (rW);‘Sauvignon blanc’ (wW); ‘Emperor’ (T); ‘Grenache’ (rW); ‘Carignane’(rW); ‘Barbera’ (rW); ‘Perlette’ (T); ‘Pinot Noir’ (rW); ‘Ruby Cabernet’(rW); ‘White Riesling’ (wW); ‘Muscat of Alexandria’ (wW); ‘Petite Sirah’(rW); ‘Rubired’ (rW); ‘Chenin blanc’ (wW); ‘Pinot blanc’ (wW);‘Semillon’ (wW); ‘Ribier’ (T); ‘Gewurztraminer’ (wW); ‘Napa Gamay’ (rW);‘Nebbiolo’ (rW); and ‘Malvasia Bianca’ (wW). The largest acreage of‘Thompson Seedless’ is explained by the fact that this cultivar ispopular for raisins, table grapes, wine, juice, and canning andtherefore constitutes the majority of California's grape acreage(R-raisin; T-table; W-wine; w-white; r-red).

[0133] To use machines successfully for mechanical shoot positioning,mechanical pruning, mechanical thinning, mechanical shoot removal,mechanical leaf removal, mechanical harvesting, and other grapeproduction operations, trellis systems should be devised and shootspositioned to accommodate precise mechanical movement. These operationsshould occur without excessive damage to the vines and at no reductionin fruit yield and/or quality.

[0134] One training system that addresses these objectives is the GenevaDouble Curtain training system (GDC), developed by Shaulis et al. (38)in New York. The GDC trellising system (FIG. 75) doubles the length ofcordon per vine, over the 5{fraction (1/2)} to 6 ft. (165 cm-170 cm)Single Curtain, Bilateral Cordon (BC) which is also easy to totallymechanize when the fruiting canes are selected from the lower 180° ofthe cordon for cultivars with drooping growth habit. The proper use of amechanical shoot positioner increases the number of mature, productiveshoots on vigorous vines that have their basal nodes adequately exposedto sunlight. Most vigorous vines of large-leafed Vitis labruscana L.,Vitis aestivalis, some American hybrids, French-American hybrids and afew Vitis vinifera cultivars with a drooping-shoot growth habit andannual cane prunings of 1.35 kg or more at spacings of 240 cm in-the-rowspacing may be expected to give excellent response to the GDC system(17). Less vigorous vines need to be spaced closer in the row or begrown on the BC high wire system.

[0135] The GDC trellising system requires a 3-wire trellis with twohorizontal cordon-support wires and a single trunk-support wire. Thecordon support wires should be 180 cm above the ground and 120 cm apart.The vines are cordon trained and short cane pruned (i.e., 4 to 6 nodes)for most Vitis labruscana species. The cordon wires are attached toflexible cross arms that allow for efficient and total mechanization(FIG. 75). In contrast to Vitis vinifera L., the fruiting canes of Vitislabruscana, cordon-trained vines are selected from nodes of very shortvertical arms originating within the lower 180° of the horizontalcordon. The cordon must be in continuous contact with the support wirein order to obtain maximum efficiency from mechanical operations.

[0136] Bilateral cordon (BC) trained Vitis labruscana vines (FIGS. 2 and3) also can be effectively shoot positioned, pruned, thinned, andharvested by machine (2, 23, 24, 25). Research in Arkansas (2, 24)compared the three major trellising systems used for Vitis labruscanagrapes in the Eastern United States, and the results have shown the BCsystem to be as productive and to produce comparable fruit quality tothe Umbrella Kniffin system, the predominate trellising system that wasused at the time of the study. However, the GDC system proved to be evenmore productive than either of the other two systems, with no reductionin fruit quality. The GDC system has proven to be superior to the BCsystem with vigorous cultivars that have sufficient growth to fill thetrellis of the GDC system. However, there is no advantage to the GDCsystem in low vigor vineyards without the utilization of close in-rowspacing. The BC and GDC system can be completely mechanized; hence,these systems as well as the modified systems of FIGS. 76-82 and thelike are the recommended or preferred systems for most cultivars andvineyards that are to be partially or totally mechanized.

[0137] Bilateral cordon (BC) with a (105 cm) 42-inch cordon and twostationary top catch wires on a vertical trellis or moveable catch wiresutilizing spur pruning on the upper 180° of the cordon currently arecommon training systems in Vitis vinifera vineyards in many parts of theworld (FIG. 30). The fruiting spurs are selected from the upper 180° ofthe cordon since Vitis vinifera cultivars grow upright. A 210 cm stakeis driven into the ground to a depth of 50 cm at each vine. One or two12-gauge high tensile strength (HTS) cordon wires are located about 105cm above the vineyard floor. However, with the moveable catch wiresystem two or three moveable foliage support wires (13-gauge HTS) aremoved upward to support the new growth as the vine grows. These systemscan be successfully pruned, thinned, fruiting zone leaf removed, summertipped or trimmed, and harvested mechanically.

[0138] Mechanical Shoot Positioning:

[0139] Effective mechanical pruning only can be accomplished withspecies with a drooping growth habit when produced on a 170 cm (6 ft.)GDC or BC system when the vines are shoot positioned, which places thecanes in proper position for the winter mechanical pruning operation.See Oldridge Patent No. 5,101,618, dated Apr. 7, 1992 and herebyincorporated by reference, for a GDC vine comber with pivotingcounterforce brush. Also, see FIGS. 41-43 for positioning and pruningequipment. Shoot positioning has been shown to be an effective method ofimproving fruit quality and of exposing the lower nodes on the bearingunits (canes) to sunlight to make the basal nodes more productive thanunder shaded conditions (27, 38, 40). Shoot positioning has provenparticularly effective with large vigorous vines on GDC which have adrooping-shoot growth habit. Shoot positioning can be accomplished bymechanical means. A new shoot positioner patented and manufactured byTommy Oldridge is an improvement over other machines for the positioningof GDC-trained vines (FIG. 42 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,618 to Oldridge).

[0140] As soon as the tendrils touch the wire or another cane, theyfasten very quickly; therefore, vines are usually first shoot positionedjust before bloom. Shoot positioning may require a second pass with amechanical shoot positioner. For the GDC system, all vigorous shootsgrowing between the two cordon wires must be pulled or brushed down inorder to maintain two separate foliage canopies. This can beaccomplished with the Oldridge shoot positioner and middle breaker(FIGS. 48 and 49). Also, other vineyard operations can be carried out atthe same time while the shoots are positioned or broken (spraying,etc.).

[0141] Mechanical Pruning and/or Trimming During the Dormant Season:

[0142] In the late 1960s, grape producers indicated that once mechanicalharvesting was totally implemented, the most time-consuming hand laboroperations in the vineyard were dormant pruning and tying. Grapeproducers complained of decreasing availability of qualified labor forpruning and tying and indicated that these should be the next operationsmechanized (22).

[0143] Background Information on:

[0144] A mechanical pruner or trimmer was successfully tested in 1967and 1968 by Morris at the University of Arkansas Agricultural ExperimentStation on a BC cordon-trained mature Concord vineyard (FIGS. 2-7). Themost significant findings of these studies were that the vines had to beshoot positioned before and following bloom in order for the canes to bein the proper position for dormant pruning or trimming and equallyimportant was the need to produce the lower nodes in sunlight tomaintain node productivity and fruit quality.

[0145] A mechanical pruning aid for Concord grapes was developed in NewYork by Pollock et al. (32) for use on cordon-trained vines. Atriangular arrangement of reciprocating cutter bars established thelength of cane and cane position. This New York pruning system wassupplemented by a mechanized brushing technique to remove the top shoots(upper 180° of the cordon) early in the spring.

[0146] In 1971, the Arkansas studies indicated mechanical pruning ofgrape vines could be accomplished and would reduce pruning labor by asmuch as 50% (26). One viticultural concern was observed in this earlyresearch, the impossibility of treating each vine individually tocontrol crop load (balance pruning according to vine size), which mightresult in the overcropping or undercropping of individual vines.

[0147] The mechanical thinner (shown in FIGS. 53 and 54) in thisapplication has eliminated this concern for BC-trained vines by beingable to effectively adjust fruit loads by controlling the beater speed(rpm) of this unit. The unit shown in FIGS. 2-9 is extremely effectivein adjusting crop load with the French-American hybrid and Vitisvinifera grapes. This economical thinning system for the BC 170 cm (6ft.) system is a mechanical thinning unit using bow-rods, fingers, orstrikers in an over-the-row beater side-mounted unit built where theoperator can see to adjust fruit load on individual vines (FIG. 2 andFIGS. 53 and 54). Results are shown in Tables 2 and 3 where lessefficient equipment than that discussed in this application was used toaccomplish the desired pruning results of mechanical pruning on yield,vine size, and juice quality (Tables 2 and 3) on shoot positionedConcord grapevines on GDC or BC training systems (23,24). This study wasestablished in a 20-year old vineyard. The vines were eithermechanically pruned or balance pruned to a 30+10 severity. Themechanically pruned vines were left untouched or were adjusted to thebest 60 or 90 nodes per vine. After six consecutive years, follow-uppruning by hand, to limit the number of nodes per vine to 60 followingmechanical pruning, maintained vine size and produced fruit yield andjuice quality comparable to vines balance pruned to a 30+10 schedule inthis older vineyard and under conditions of this study. Both theno-touch-up treatment and retaining 90 nodes per vine followingmechanical pruning treatments reduced per vine and per node fruit yields(data not shown) after the sixth year and resulted in unacceptableobjective and sensory juice quality. Also, these two treatments resultedin uneven ripening of Concord grapes (% green fruit), which contributedto the problem of low soluble solids and poor juice color.

[0148] Sensory color acceptability ratings (Table 3), which includedboth the parameters of color intensity and hue, generally declined withincreasing treatment severity on single curtain SC trained vines.However, the color acceptability was rated lower than expected on handpruned (30+10) GDC-trained vines because of the blue appearance, ratherthan the expected intense purple juice color. This result was due to theinfluence of high pH on juice color. The high pH allowed structuraltransformations of the anthocyanin molecule, resulting in the shift inhue. SC-trained, no touch-up vines had the lowest ratings for both colorintensity and color acceptability.

[0149] Juice flavor was rated unacceptable from plots limited to 90nodes or with no touch-up on the GDC training system and with notouch-up treatment on the SC system, following mechanical pruning.

[0150] From this study it was concluded that continuous mechanicalpruning in Concord vineyards is recommended only in shoot-positionedvineyards where pruning can be followed by cane selection and adequatenode limitations. However, recent unpublished data shows that mechanicalfruit thinning also eliminates this problem without the need for handthinning.

[0151] These preliminary findings indicated a need for a bettermechanical shoot positioner and mechanical pruner. This unit has beenpatented by Oldridge, U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,444 hereby incorporated byreference (FIGS. 44-47). A study was designed at the ArkansasAgricultural Experiment Station with the objective of examining variouslevels of mechanical pruning in combination with shoot positioning onConcord grapes. The vineyard was planted in 1981. The vines wereextremely uniform in vigor, and all vines were trained to the GDCtraining system with 3 m×2 m spacing and drip irrigation. Theexperimental field plot was an incomplete latin square 7×4 factorial (7columns, 4 rows) with four replications. Treatments consisted of: 1.Four levels of shoot positioning; a) hand positioning, b) machinepositioning, c) separating the canopy by breaking centers only, and d)no shoot positioning. (In treatments a, b, and c, the shoots werepositioned vertically toward the vineyard floor two or three times, asrequired). 2. Seven pruning treatments; a) balance pruned by hand to a30+10 level (6 node canes), b) balance-pruned by hand to a 50+10 level(6 node canes), c) mechanically pruned and adjusted to the best 60nodes, d) mechanically pruned and adjusted to the best 80 nodes, e)mechanically pruned with fruit removed by mechanical beating at agreen-pea size to a level approximating the fruit load of a 30+10pruning severity, f) mechanically pruned with no touch-up ineven-numbered years and hand pruned to 30+10 (6 node canes) inodd-numbered years, and g) mechanically pruned with no touch-up.

[0152] Yield, pruning weight, and juice quality have been determined foreight consecutive years. Unlike some of the recent research findings inother regions, our results indicate that continued mechanical pruningwith no node adjustments may have undesirable effects on fruit qualitywhen the mechanical pruning results in extremely high yields (Tables 4and 5). Our main concern about mechanical pruning is its affect onpercent soluble solids and color (Tables 3 and 4). Shoot positioningshowed reduction in soluble solids in 1991, but there was no need toposition the vines in 1991 due to reduced vigor and vine size (Table 5).It was obvious that shoot positioning for sunlight exposure was notneeded. The excessive heat, hot nights, and fruit exposure to the sunwas detrimental to the production of soluble solids. This points out theneed to maintain vine vigor or size on high yielding vineyards and alsoagain point out the need for selective mechanical fruit thinning inorder to maintain balanced high yielding production of high qualityfruit.

[0153] Freeman and Cullis (12) studied mechanical hedge pruning ofCabernet Sauvignon and Doradillo vines in Australia that were trained toa BC system. The following hedge shapes were established in thisstudy: 1) a square hedge with three cutting planes that produced asquare cross-section (the distance from the cutting plane to the cordonwas set to give node numbers that were similar to the controls); 2) anoffset rectangular hedge where the vines were trimmed close to thecordon on one side on alternate years to allow for new spurs to develop;and 3) a hedge pruned to a triangular shape on the upper 180° portion ofthe cordon. The yield and capacity of hedged vines were equal to orgreater than the manually-pruned vines, except in 1976, when the hedgedDoradillo vines had lower yields. With the Cabernet Sauvignon, atriangular hedge initially had lower yields but in later years yieldedmore than the square and offset hedges. This increase in Cabernet yieldwith the triangular hedge was a result of increased berry numbercompared to the other hedge shapes.

[0154] Freeman and Cullis (12) concluded that under Australianconditions vine hedging was a viable alternative to detailed manualpruning for vinifera grapes in Australia. The major qualitycharacteristics affected by total mechanical pruning are smaller berriesand clusters. Minimal pruning of Vitis vinifera vines on a commercialscale is being adopted in Australia. Also, they indicated that themechanically pruned hedge presents no problems during the mechanicalharvesting operation. Machine-assisted pruning has become a fixture inthe Australian wine industry (6).

[0155] Minimal Pruning:

[0156] Working on the theory that winter pruning disturbs the vines'natural process of self-regulation of growth and production,Clingeleffer and Possingham (5) have developed a trellising system inAustralia that requires minimal pruning and provides ideal vineconformation for mechanical harvesting. They call it Minimal Pruning ofCordon-Trained Vines. Cordon-trained vines are trained to either asingle or double high wire in the vertical plane. Pruning consists oftrimming at the sides only in the summer and trimming at 30 inches abovethe ground as a harvest aid. Over the seasons, the cordons and canesgrow into a large permanent canopy. Trimming can be accomplished withsimple and inexpensive tractor-mounted equipment. Commercial productionhas been accomplished in Australia and to a limited extent in Californiawith this system.

[0157] Pool et al. (35) have used minimal pruning in New York vineyards.Pool (34) has also studied mechanical thinning and found that theresultant crop reduction enhanced juice soluble solids contents.

[0158] Intrieri and Marangoni (15) reported alternate “up-down”mechanical pruning of GDC-trained Vitis vinifera grapes in Bologna,Italy, has given satisfactory results in terms of production andvegetative response of the vines for a three-year period. After fouryears of tests and surveys, Cargnello and Lisa (1) in Veneto, Italy,concluded that for mechanical pruning to be practical it is necessary tocontrol the bud load annually, and that mechanical pruning must ensurean adequate number of renewal canes with short cuts on some parts of thecordon to avoid the premature aging of the vine. In some regions,success is not or will not be possible until trellis systems aremodified for mechanization. Also, this system will not work in regionswith short growing seasons, where harvest may be delayed from big crops,and vines are subject to severe injury from low winter temperatures.

[0159] Parallel work on pruning and shoot positioning mechanization hasoccurred in other grape growing regions of the world, e.g., New Zealand(42), France (37, 44), Italy (7, 8, 9, 10, 16, 33, 41, 43), Spain (13),Bulgaria (21, 29, 30), and the Ukraine (28).

[0160] Mechanized Systems for the Production of French-American hybrids:

[0161] The French hybrids are interspecific hybrids that vary a greatdeal in their vine characteristics, but, in general, the majority of thecultivars that have been selected for production have shorter internodesthan the Vitis labruscana species. Most all hybrids tend to be extremelyfruitful. This fruitfulness is due to a large extent to the high clusternumbers for shoot and extremely fruitful basal buds. These basal budsare seldom, if ever, fruitful with Vitis labruscana and Vitis viniferaspecies. These basal buds or nodes are considered non-count on V.labruscana, but on some French hybrids the basal or non-count buds canaccount for 30-40% of the fruit that is produced.

[0162] An individual bud of the French-Hybrid is more productive sincethe secondary bud at each node can produce almost as many grapes as theprimary buds.

[0163] Hand thinning is a method to produce consistently high qualityfruit from these cultivars. Hand thinning is expensive and one of thegreatest challenges in producing these cultivars. To fruit and shootthin these cultivars mechanically and economically, the mechanical shootand fruit thinner described in this application (FIGS. 2-33) isrecommended. The fruit zone area for most French hybrids is the same asfor the Vitis vinifera species (FIGS. 2-7). Mechanical crop control ofthis group of grapes may be accomplished by both mechanical shoot andfruit thinning (FIGS. 2-33). This new mechanical fruit and shoot thinneris relatively simple and extremely effective.

[0164] Mechanization of the Vitis vinifera species:

[0165] Most of the Vitis vinifera cultivars have upright growth habitsand require that the fruiting zone be located on the upper 180° of thecordon. The majority of the premium wine produced in the world comesfrom this species of grapes. Wineries pay premium prices for highquality vinifera grapes. In many premium wine grape regions, the need torestrict crop sizes following mechanical pruning is paramount. Theseconcerns become even greater in regions of the world where there areshort growing seasons and potential for winter injury. Producers have togo to extreme hand thinning measures to reduce crop loads, to ensurematurity and maximize winter hardiness. In both cases, the need forcluster and/or berry thinning is necessary to adjust the fruit load tothe capacity of the vine. The rule of thumb for foliage to fruit ratiofor many cultivars has been 10 to 15 square centimeters of leaf to onegram of fruit. Lakso (18) has reported that after the final exposed leafarea/grams reaches about 8-12 cm² of functional leaf area per gram offruit, there is little benefit of having additional leaf area. Cropadjustments to ensure the proper leaf-fruit ratios is used in many graperegions of the world and is even enforced by law in some regions.

[0166] Dr. Robert Pool, Cornell University, Geneva, N.Y. (37), hasdeveloped a method to estimate crop level to determine the amount offruit that should be mechanically removed. Assuming the grower knows thenumber of vines per acre, an estimate of crop weight (lb.) can becalculated. The grower should harvest all fruit from a representativesample (e.g. two post-lengths) at 1200 growing degree-days, or whenberries reach 50% of final weight. For ‘Concord’ in NY, Pool has shownthat regardless of pruning system, weather, year, or crop level, 50% offinal cluster weight will occur at 1200 growing degree days. However,this timing will change for different cultivars and for different grapegrowing regions. The grower then multiplies the weight of fruit per vineat 1200 degree-days by 2 to determine crop weight per vine at harvest.Then multiply lb./vine by vines per acre and divide by 2000 to arrive attons/acre. If the estimated crop is above the desired tons/acre formaximum quality for the cultivar or vineyard, the grower can calculatethe percent of fruit he needs to remove from each vine to arrive at thedesired cropping level. As a rule, machine thinning should be used about20-30 days following bloom in cool growing regions such as the “grapebelt” region of New York.

[0167] Winkler et al. (Text 1974), who wrote one of the most respectedtexts on viticulture, felt that one approach to this functionalleaf/fruit ratio was to leave vines unpruned and control the crop bythinning. However, during this time period, it was not practical orfeasible since mechanization of harvest of unpruned vines was not anoption. Unlike the French hybrids, most vinifera grapes are onlymoderately fruitful and normally do not produce fruitful basal buds.Therefore, mechanical thinning and shoot removal of vigor or large sizevines becomes more critical, and in most cases and some trellisingsystems, will need to be combined with mechanical leaf removal (FIGS.34-40).

[0168] Although the Morris-Oldridge complete vineyard mechanizationsystem of the present invention provides the viticulturist with anarsenal of tools, careful use and intelligent implementation of thedesired results from each of these tools must be understood for thesystem to be successful. Adoption of these new completely mechanizedsystems will mean a more reliable, more stable, and more economicalproduction of premium quality fruit that will be competitive for thelocal, regional, national and global markets.

[0169] With reference again to FIGS. 2-5 of the drawings, an exemplaryshoot and fruit thinner in accordance with the present inventiongenerally designated by the reference numeral 10 is especially adaptedfor use with Vitis vinifera and French-American hybrid grapes and isshown in use in connection with a high wire single curtain bilateralcordon trellising system 12.

[0170] The shoot and fruit thinner 10 includes a central supportplatform 14, right and left depending arms 16 and 18 each supporting atthe lower end thereof a circular rotary striker unit 20 and 22 havingstriker fingers or beaters 24 and 26 extending therefrom. The shoot andfruit thinner 10 also includes a guide wheel 28 which is adapted to rideon a guide wire or cordon wire 30 to facilitate the proper positioningof the shoot and fruit thinner 10 relative to the vine being treated.

[0171] Each of the rotary striker units 20 and 22 rotates about asubstantially horizontal shaft in the same or opposite directions underthe influence of a hydraulic motor 36 which provides drive to a drivesprocket 38 which in turn drives a drive chain 40 which supplies driveto respective rotary unit drive sprockets 42 and 44 and which alsopasses around a plurality of idler and directional sprockets or rollers46, 48 and 50.

[0172] As shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, the chain and sprockets areusually covered with a removable metal cover or guard 52 to preventshoots and foliage from obstructing movement of the chain.

[0173] The support platform 14 includes a vertical plate 54 and ahorizontal support member 56 pivotally connected to one another bybrackets and bolts 58 and 60. The angle of the vertical plate 54 withrespect to the horizontal member 56 is adjusted by respective turnbuckles or length adjustable telescoping members 62 and 64. Since theupper end of each of the arms 16 and 18 is attached to the verticalplate 54, the angle of each of the rotary heads 20 and 22 can beadjusted by adjusting the length of members 62 and 64 by, for example,removing the bolts therefrom, and adjusting the length of the members 62and 64 to a different hole setting, and replacing the bolts therein.

[0174] Guide wheel 28 is adjustable and is supported from platform 14 byforwardly extending members 66 and 68 which extend from horizontalsupport member 56 and support a pivoting yoke 70 about a pivot bolt 72.Upward and lower travel of the guide wheel 28 is limited by upper andlower nuts 74 and 76 placed on respective side rods 78 and 80 which passthrough respective circular openings in guide brackets 82 and 84 whichare themselves attached to the extension members 66 and 68.

[0175] Horizontal member 56 of support platform 14 is made up of twoside pieces 86 and 88 welded to a horizontal plate 90. A hitch ball 92is attached to plate 90 and provides for quick attachment and detachmentof the shoot and fruit thinner 10 to and from a hitch tongue 94extending horizontally from a horizontal member 96 of a vineyard tractormast 98 such as shown in any one of FIGS. 34, 36, 39, 48, 51, 56, 74, orthe like. After the hitch tongue 94 of mast member 96 is attached to theball 92, the horizontal plate 90 and horizontal member 56 of supportplatform 14 are fixed in position relative to the end of mast member 96by, for example, bolts which pass through brackets extending from member96 and into plate 90.

[0176] In accordance with the present invention, and as shown throughoutthe drawings, each of the devices, apparatus, implements, or the like ofthe present invention preferably utilize a quick disconnect ball hitchmechanism or assembly to facilitate the attachment and detachment of therespective implements or devices to the mast of a vineyard tractor,harvester, or other machinery or equipment. Also, the ball hitch can beused to facilitate the storage of each of the implements, devices,apparatus, and the like by having a storage rack with a plurality ofspaced ball receiving hitch ends which are adapted to attach to the ballon the respective implements.

[0177] Although the shoot and fruit thinner 10 is shown to utilize ahydraulic motor 36 which receives hydraulic fluid from hydraulic lines100 operatively connected to a hydraulic system of the tractor or othervineyard equipment (or an anxiallary hydraulic system attached to, forexample, the power take off on the back of the tractor) which is used totransport the shoot and fruit thinner 10 through the vineyard andsimultaneously drive both rotary striker units 20 and 22, it is to beunderstood that other motors such as pneumatic or electric motors can beused to simultaneously drive both rotary units 20 and 22 or respectiveseparate drive motors can be added in place of the single motor 36 todrive each of the rotary units 20 and 22 independently of one another.See, for example, FIG. 36 of the drawings which shows respectivehydraulic motors for driving each of two rotary units.

[0178] The amount of shoot and fruit thinning that is accomplished usingthe rotary striker units 20 and 22 and in particular by the strikerfingers 24 and 26 of the rotary units 20 and 22, is determined by thespeed and direction of the rotary units, the number of striker fingers,the flexibility of the fingers, the spacing of the rotary units andfingers from one another, the alignment of the flexible fingers on therespective rotary units (in sync with one another or out of sync withone another), the speed with which the shoot and fruit thinner 10 ismoved through the vineyard and along the vine, and combinations thereof.

[0179] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, the strikerfingers 24 and 26 are attached to or mounted in respective fingerreceiving sockets 102 and 104 which are attached to respective rings orannuluses 106 and 108 by respective radial support members 110 and 112(see FIGS. 13 and 14). In accordance with the present invention, it hasbeen discovered that a preferred arrangement of striker fingers includesa pair of such fingers placed adjacent one another and with each of thefingers having a flexible core 114 such as a rubber hose, tube, shaft,or the like, covered partially near its base with a rigid support 116such as a metal pipe, tube, or the like. The flexible ends 114 of theadjacent fingers 24 of the finger pair tend to grab foliage, shoots,grape bunches, and the like, during travel of the fingers through thevine. Also, the flexible ends 114 on the fingers allow the ends to bendor give, should they contact a solid item such as a wire, post, brace,stay, trellis member, cordon wire support, cordon, other strikerfingers, brushes, brush bristles, or the like. Although it is preferredto use pairs of fingers, especially for fruit bunch removal, it iscontemplated that one could use single fingers to, for example, removefoliage, shoots, thin bunches, or the like, or one could use a singlefinger having a split end to achieve nearly the same result as a pair ofadjacent fingers. Further, the pair of fingers may be further supportedby attaching them one to the other near their base by, for example,wrapping tape around the base supports 116 of adjacent fingers. Thisincreases the rigidity of the finger pair and increases the amount offoliage or fruit which is removed during use thereof. Each of thefingers 24 and 26 may be releasably attached or mounted in the receivingsockets 102 and 104 by, for example, threaded fasteners, cotter keys,wire, or the like.

[0180] The number and arrangement of the striker fingers is selected toachieve the desired amount of shoot and fruit thinning, leaf removal,and the like. The rotary striker units 20 and 22 of FIGS. 2-5 areadapted to receive anywhere from one to twelve fingers per unit. Thespeed of rotation of the striker fingers is controlled by controllingthe hydraulic fluid sent to motor 36.

[0181] The amount of shoot and fruit removal can be adjusted along thetravel of a particular row in a vineyard or along a particular vinesection to adjust for different physiological stages or conditions ofthe vine, shoots, fruit, or the like to insure that the shoots and fruitare evenly spaced along the length of the cordon. Also, the rotarystriker units may be replaced with brushes or bristles (see FIGS. 15-22)or with oval rotary striker units (see FIG. 23) to achieve a desiredresult. In accordance with a particular example of the presentinvention, the rotary striker units 20 and 22 of the shoot and fruitthinner 10 each included four respective pairs of striker fingers drivenat a rotary speed from 10 to 250 rpm with the fingers of the respectiveunits 20 and 22 offset or out of sync by about 45°, and with thetransporting tractor driven from 1{fraction (1/2)} mph to 2{fraction(1/2)} mph to achieve a desired shoot and fruit thinning along a row ofVitis vinifera trained on a high wire single curtain bilateral cordontrellis system. Also in accordance with a particular example of thepresent invention, each of the rotary striker units 20 and 22 of theshoot and fruit thinner 10 is about 32 inches from tip to tip having a10 inch center disk and 12 inch length fingers with one inch of eachfinger inserted into its receiving socket. Further, each of the fingersis one-half inch in diameter and made of a flexible solid rubbermaterial. It is preferred to use striker fingers having an outerdiameter of from about one quarter inch to one inch and varying inlength from about 4 to 24 inches. Further, when brush units are used inplace of rotary striker units, it is preferred to use a brush unithaving a tip to tip dimension of about 20 to 40 inches, preferably 32inches. Adjustments in shoot and fruit removal depend on cultivar andshoot numbers and the projected or desired fruit load.

[0182] Although it is not shown in FIGS. 2-5 of the drawings, anautomatic height adjustment mechanism or device can be added, forexample, to the guide wheel yoke 70 or one of the height adjustmentmembers 78 and 80 to automatically adjust the height of the strikerfingers 24 and 26 relative to the vine by automatically adjusting theposition of the guide wheel 28 relative to the platform 14. For example,a hydraulic cylinder or an electric motor and screw arrangement can beused to automatically adjust the position of the guide wheel relative tothe platform from a control lever or mechanism on the tractor.

[0183] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings, and in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention, a shoot and fruit thinneris generally designated by the reference numeral 120 and shown to besubstantially identical to the shoot and fruit thinner 10 of the FIGS.2-5 with the exception of the removal of the guide wheel 28 and thesupporting assembly therefor. The shoot and fruit thinner 120 includes asupport platform 122, right and left arms 124 and 126, circular rotarystriker units 128 and 130, striker fingers 132 and 134, chain 136,hydraulic motor 138, and the like.

[0184] As shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings and in accordance with yetanother embodiment or arrangement of a shoot and fruit thinner of thepresent invention, a shoot and fruit thinner 140 is especially adaptedfor use with a standard single catch wire trellis system and issubstantially identical in its construction to the shoot and fruitthinner 120 of FIGS. 6 and 7 with the exception of the addition ofvertical lower extension arms 142 and 144 added to the bottom of each ofright and left angled arms 146 and 148 attached to the support platform150. The shoot and fruit thinner 140 is similar to the shoot and fruitthinners 10 and 120 of FIGS. 2-7 in that it includes a hydraulic motor152, a drive chain, and a plurality of sprockets 154 and 156 forproviding drive to each of two circular rotary striker units 158 and160.

[0185] With reference to FIG. 9 of the drawings, and in accordance withstill yet another embodiment of the present invention, a shoot and fruitthinner is generally designated by reference numeral 170 and has asubstantially identical construction to that of the shoot and fruitthinner 140 of FIG. 8 except that the extension arms are elongated andpositioned at different angles to accommodate a California T-trellis168. The shoot and fruit thinner 170 includes upper arms 172 and 174which extend outwardly and lower extension arms 176 and 178 attached tothe free end of each of the upper arms 172 and 174 and which extendinwardly toward the trellis 168. Respective rotary striker units 180 and182 are supported at the base of each of arms 176 and 178 and are drivenby a hydraulic motor 184 and a chain which passes over directionalsprockets 186 and 188. The motor 184 and upper arms 172 and 174 aresupported on a substantially vertical plate 190 of a support platform192. As shown in the drawings, the vertical plate 190 and support arms172, 174, 176 and 178 include a plurality of openings to allow forangular adjustment and repositioning of the support arms relative to oneanother and to the support platform 192. The arms are attached to thesupport platform by releasable fasteners 194 such as nuts and bolts.Further, rotary striker assemblies 196 and 198 are attached to therotary disks by releasable fasteners such as bolts and locknuts.

[0186] As shown in FIGS. 10-14 of the drawings, and in accordance withstill another embodiment of the present invention, a shoot and fruitthinner generally designated by the reference 200 is substantiallyidentical in construction to the shoot and fruit thinner 10 of FIGS. 2-5except that the shoot and fruit thinner 200 includes only a single arm202 and single rotary striker unit 204. The arm 202 is attached to asupport platform 206. The rotary striker 204 is rotatably driven by amotor and a chain 208 to drive a plurality of striker fingers 210 ineither a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. The support platform206 of shoot and fruit thinner 200 is releasably attached to ahorizontal mast member 212 by a ball hitch 214 and bolts 216.

[0187] With particular reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 of the drawings, aguide wheel 218, supporting assembly 220 and adjustment mechanism 222has been added to the shoot and fruit thinner 200. Also, for the sake ofclarity, a rotary striker assembly 224 has been removed from a rotarystriker support disk 226 of the rotary striker unit. 204.

[0188] With reference to FIGS. 10, 13 and 14 of the drawings, the rotarystriker assembly 224 is adapted to be releasably connected to thesupport disk 226 by a plurality of threaded fasteners such as nuts andbolts 228 with the bolts being received through respective openings 230in a disk or ring 232.

[0189] With reference to FIGS. 15-22, 25, and 26 of the drawings, inaccordance with the present invention, one can replace, substitute oraugment one or both circular rotary striker units with one or morerotary circular brush units. The brush units may be driven by anindependent motor, for example, a separate hydraulic motor.

[0190] With particular reference to FIGS. 15 and 16 of the drawings,respective shoot and fruit thinner embodiments 240 and 280 each have abrush unit at the lower end of one arm and a circular rotary strikerunit on the lower end of the other arm and are adapted for use with aLyre, “U”, or modified U-trellis 242. As shown in FIG. 15 and inaccordance with a still another embodiment of the present invention,shoot and fruit thinner 240 is shown to include a circular rotarystriker unit 242 operatively attached to the lower end of a lower arm244 with the upper end of the arm 244 attached to the lower end of anupper arm 246 having the upper end thereof attached to a supportplatform 248. The rotary striker unit 242 includes a plurality ofstriker fingers 250 which are rotated under the action of a hydraulicmotor 252 which provides drive to the rotary striker unit 242 via achain and a plurality of sprockets.

[0191] The shoot and fruit thinner 240 also includes a rotary brush unit254 including a plurality of stacked circular bristle assemblies 256which are operatively attached to the rotary shaft of a hydraulic motor258. The hydraulic motor 258 and rotary brush unit 254 are supported bya plate 260 which is attached to a lower end of a first or lowerrectangular support member 262. The first support member 262 is receivedin a first adjusting collar or bracket 264 which is welded to a secondadjusting collar or bracket 266 which is received on a secondrectangular support member 268. The second or upper support member 268is attached to the lower end of an arm 270 and the upper end of the arm270 is attached to the support platform 248. Hydraulic fluid is suppliedto the motor 258 to rotate the bristles 256 of brush unit 254 in eithera clockwise or counterclockwise direction and at a selected speed toprovide the desired removal of foliage, shoots, fruit, and the like fromthe interior of the trellis and/or from the area of the cordon. Thebrush unit 254 can be used to provide an almost complete removal ofshoots, foliage, fruit, and the like from a cordon. Adjustable collarsor brackets 264 and 266 include releasable set screws or bolts 272 and274 which allow for a wide range of adjustment in the angle and positionof the brush unit 254. The shoot and fruit thinner 240 is adapted tothin the foliage, shoots, and fruit from the exterior of the trellis 242using the circular rotary striker unit 242 and to clean out the interiorof at least one side of the trellis using the bristles 256 of brush unit254 to remove foliage, shoots, and fruit from the interior of thetrellis.

[0192] With reference to FIG. 16 of the drawings, an alternative shootand fruit thinner 280 is substantially similar to the shoot and fruitthinner 240 of FIG. 15 except that the rotary striker unit 282 androtary circular brush unit 284 are on opposite sides of the device. Theshoot and fruit thinners 240 and 280 of FIGS. 15 and 16 are adapted tothin the exterior of at least one side of the trellis and clean theinterior of at least the other side of the trellis with a single passalong a vine or can clean the entire interior of the trellis 242 andboth exterior sides of the trellis by either using the shoot and fruitthinners 240 and 280 in combination or by making two passes along aparticular row in opposite directions. In accordance with one example,the bristle or brush unit 254 is 32 inches from tip to tip and hasrelatively stiff plastic or resin bristles.

[0193] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 of the drawings, a shoot and fruitthinner or removal device generally designated 290 includes a singlerotary brush unit 292 of substantially similar construction to that ofthe rotary brush unit and support assembly 254 of FIG. 15. The rotarybrush unit 292 includes a hydraulic motor 294 attached to a plate 296which is attached to one end of a first or lower rectangular supportmember 298. The first support member 298 is clamped in an adjustmentcollar or bracket 300 which is attached to another adjustment collar orbracket 302. The bracket 302 is releasably attached to a second or upperrectangular support member 304 which is welded to a support arm 306. Thebrush unit 292 includes a plurality of circular bristle assemblies 308which are clamped to a circular disk 310 which is operatively connectedto the rotary shaft of motor 294. The number of bristle assemblies 308,the stiffness of the bristles, the speed of rotation of the motor 294,the position of the brush unit 292, the ground speed of the tractor orother equipment transporting the device 290, and the like can be variedto provide the selected removal of foliage, shoots, fruit, and the likefrom the interior of the trellis.

[0194] Removal device 290 may include a guide wheel 312 as shown in FIG.17 if desired or may be operated without a guide wheel as shown in FIG.18 of the drawings. The brush unit 292 may be used to clean the interioror exterior of a trellis, a cordon, or the like and may also be used forpruning. It is important to open up the interior of a GDC, Lyre, “U”, ormodified “U” trellis to allow light and air to get to the fruit, and toassist in the mechanical harvesting thereof.

[0195] With respect to FIG. 19 of the drawings, a multi-purpose shootand fruit thinner or removal device generally designated 320 is similarto a combination of the shoot and fruit thinners 290 of FIGS. 17 and 18and 200 of FIGS. 10-14 and includes both a circular rotary brush unit322 and a circular rotary striker unit 324 each having their ownseparate drive motor and which can be driven at different speeds and indifferent directions. The shoot and fruit thinner 320 is in a similararrangement to that shown in FIG. 26 of the drawings and can be used inconnection with a Y or GDC trellising system.

[0196]FIGS. 20 and 21 of the drawings show respective shoot and fruitthinner embodiments 340 and 350 each having a circular rotary brush unit342 and 352 each mounted at the base of an elongate arm assemblyincluding respective upper arms 344 and 354, lower arms 346 and 356, andadjustable support assemblies 348 and 358. The shoot and fruit thinners340 and 350 of FIGS. 20 and 21 are adapted to reach down into theinterior of a deep divided curtain trellis such as a Lyre, “U”, ormodified “U”, or to reach down and under the “U” or upper end of a Y, T,Lyre, “U”, or modified “U” trellising system.

[0197] With respect to FIG. 22 of the drawings, a shoot and fruitthinner embodiment or arrangement in accordance with yet anotherembodiment of the present invention is generally designated by thereference numeral 360 and shown to include first and second circularrotary brush units 362 and 364 with the first rotary brush unit having acircular bristle assembly 366 positioned substantially vertically and infront of the second rotary brush unit 364 having a circular bristleassembly 368 position substantially horizontally and trailing the firstbrush unit 362. Each of the rotary brush units 362 and 364 is supportedby respective adjustment assemblies 370 and 372, attached to respectivesupport arms 374 and 376, each of which is attached to a supportplatform 378. Each of the rotary brush units 362 and 364 includes aseparate and independent drive motor 380 and 382 to provide for drivingof the bristles of each of the brush units at independently selectedspeeds and in independently selected directions.

[0198] The circular rotary brush units 362 and 364 of shoot and fruitthinner or removal device 360 are adapted for use on the interior of aLyre, “U”, or modified “U” trellis 384 and are shown in operationadjacent a cordon 386 within the interior of the upper or U portion 388of the trellis 384.

[0199] With reference to FIGS. 23, 24, 27, 28, and 33 of the drawings,in accordance with the present invention, one can replace, substitute oraugment one or both circular rotary striker units or circular rotarybrush units with one or more oval rotary striker units each having aplurality of striker fingers attached to a single chain or belt whichprovides for movement of the fingers around the unit.

[0200] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, ashoot and fruit thinner generally designated 400 is shown to include asingular oval rotary striker unit 402 having a plurality of strikerfingers 404 emanating circumferentially therefrom and having an ovalfront casino or support member 406. The oval rotary striker unit 402 issupported in a substantially horizontal position at the lower end of alower arm 408 which is attached to the lower end of an upper arm 410which is attached to a platform 412 of the device 400. The rotarystriker unit 402 may be driven by a motor 414 and chain and sprocketarrangement leading from the motor down to the oval rotary striker unit402 or from a separate and independent motor on the front end of astriker unit drive shaft 416. It is preferred that the oval rotarystriker units also include an oval rear housing or support memberopposite housing 406, a drive sprocket and a plurality of idlersprockets therebetween, a chain 418, and a plurality of finger receivingsockets or bases 420 attached to the chain 418. As with the circularrotary striker units, the number, spacing, and flexibility of thefingers or strikers, speed of operation, speed of movement of the unitalong the vine, and the like can be selected as desired to provide thenecessary removal or thinning of foliage, fruit, canes, shoots, and thelike.

[0201] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, each of the striker fingers 404 of the oval rotary strikerunit 402 are short sections of hydraulic line 422 having metal threadedconnection ends 424 and 426 with at least connection end 426 adapted tobe threadably received into base 420. In contrast to the circular rotarystriker units, it is preferred to use single spaced fingers 404 in placeof finger pairs.

[0202] With reference to FIGS. 24 and 28 of the drawings, a shoot andfruit thinner embodiment generally designated 430 is shown to includefirst and second oval rotary striker units 432 and 434 and which isespecially adapted for use with a California T-trellis 436. Each of theoval rotary striker units 432 and 434 are supported by respective lowerarms 438 and 440 and upper arms 442 and 444, each attached to a supportplatform 446. Each of the striker units 432 and 434 may be driven by acommon hydraulic motor. 448 or by respective separate independent drivemotors mounted adjacent to the lower end of each of support arms 438 and440. In accordance with a particular example of the present invention,and with respect to the California T-trellis of FIG. 28, the cordon islocated approximately 42 inches above the vineyard floor, there is about24 inches between the cordon and the horizontal cross bar, the cross barspans about 48 inches, and the overall height of the T-trellis is about64 inches. Also, in accordance with this example, each of the flexiblestrikers or fingers of the oval rotary strikers is about 9-12 inches inlength and the short turning radius on the ends of the chain-driven ovalrotary strikers adjacent the cordon is used for close cordon to topcross bar shoot and fruit removal to adjust shoot numbers.

[0203] FIGS. 25-33 of the drawings depict schematic shoot and fruitthinner or removal device embodiments or arrangements and highlight theversatility of this equipment with respect to the use for differenttrellises or training systems and to accomplish different results.Further, FIGS. 2-24 also highlight the versatility and adaptability ofthe shoot and fruit thinner embodiments of the present invention. Inorder to facilitate the operation of the fruit and shoot thinner devicesand to provide for a selected removal, clearing, thinning, or pruning,each of the shoot and fruit thinners may include one or more meters orgauges which indicate the speed of rotation of, for example, eachcircular rotary striker, oval rotary striker, or brush unit and allowthe tractor or other vehicle operator to adjust the speed of rotationaccordingly, depending on the physiological condition of the vine inthat area, amount of fruit, or the like.

[0204] Also, it is to be understood that the shoot and fruit thinnerembodiments or arrangements of FIGS. 2-33 of the drawings are adaptedfor use with the modified trellises of FIGS. 76-81 of the drawings aswell as the Smart-Dyson ballerina trellising system of FIGS. 67 and 68.

[0205] FIGS. 34-40 and 69 of the drawings depict improved leaf removalfan units in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention.More particularly, FIGS. 34 and 35 of the drawings are directed to animproved leaf remover or fan and blade unit generally designated 500 andshown to include a single vertically and angularly adjustable blade andfan assembly 502 adapted for cleaning one side of a standard vertical,movable catch wire trellising system. Fan assembly 502 includes a fanblade 504, a housing 506, an intake connected to a conical cutting bladehousing 508, and a discharge 510 at the lower end of the housing 506. Acutting blade 512 is located in the cutting blade housing 508 directlybehind a plurality of horizontal bars or rods 514 which pass across thecircular fan intake opening 516. The bars or rods 514 are spaced asufficient distance apart to allow leaves and small shoots to enter thecutting blade housing 508 and to be cut by the blade 512 or cut by beingsheared between the rods 514 and the blade 512. Fan blade 504 andcutting blade 512 are mounted on a drive shaft 518 which is rotatablydriven by a hydraulic motor 520 and supported by a pair of spaced shaftbearings 522.

[0206] The fan assembly 502 of leaf remover or fan unit 500 isvertically supported by spaced vertical support members 524 which extenddownwardly from a horizontal support member 526 which is attached to thehorizontal mast member 96 via a ball hitch 528 and nuts and bolts 530.The angle of the fan and blade assembly 502 is selected by adjusting therelative position of first and second angle support members 532 and 534with the upper end of member 532 being connected to horizontal member526 and the lower end of member 534 being pivotally connected to abracket extending from fan housing 506. Also, the lower end of verticalsupport members 524 are pivotally connected to a housing or platesupporting the fan housing 506, shaft bearings 522, and motor 520.Furthermore, the vertical position of the fan assembly 502 can bequickly and easily altered by vertical extension and retraction of ahydraulic cylinder 536 of mast 98. Also, the side to side position ofthe fan unit (the distance of the fan unit from the tractor 538) can beadjusted by extending or contracting a cylinder located within oradjacent the horizontal member 96 of mast 98.

[0207] With particular reference to FIG. 35 of the drawings, fanassembly 502 of fan unit 500 may have an adjustable fan cover 540 addedto the face thereof to selectively cover a portion of the fan intakeopening 516 and thereby provide for leaf and shoot removal in only aselected region or area, for example, the bottom half of opening 516. Athreaded fastener or bolt 542 provides for adjustment of the location ofthe cover 540 relative to the opening 516. Although the rods or bars 514are shown as being cylindrical, it is to be understood that othercross-sections such as semi-circular, rectangular, or triangular may beused.

[0208] With reference to FIGS. 36-38 of the drawings, a modified orimproved dual fan leaf remover is generally designated 550 and shown toinclude leading and trailing fan units 552 and 554 adapted for use witha Lyre, “U”, or modified “U” trellising system. Each of the fan units552 and 554 of the dual unit leaf remover 550 is similar to the fanassembly 502 of FIGS. 34 and 35. The leading and trailing fan units 552and 554 are supported from a horizontal support member 556 which isattached to the horizontal mast member 96 by ball hitch 558 and nut andbolt and bracket assemblies 560 and 562. Leading fan unit 552 includesspaced vertical support members 564 and 566 and angle adjust supportmembers 568 and 570. Upper angle adjust member 568 is pivotally attachedto a horizontal member 572 which is attached to a horizontal crossmember 574 which is attached to horizontal member 556 and supports theupper end of vertical support members 564 and 566.

[0209] Leading fan unit 552 includes a fan blade 576, a fan bladehousing 578, an intake operatively connected with a conical cuttingblade housing 580, and a bottom discharge 582. Attached to the frontsurface of conical cutting blade housing 580 is a cowling or cover plate584 having a bent or angled leading surface 586 which facilitatesmovement of the fan unit along the vine. Attached to cowling or coverplate 584 are a plurality of adjustable rods or bars 588 each havingsmall and large sized portions 590 and 592 with the small portion 590telescopically received within the large portion to allow adjustment ofthe length thereof. A cutting blade 594 is located within the housing580 just behind the adjustable bars 588 to provide not only a cutting ofthe leaves and small shoots by the blade 594 but also by being shearedbetween the blade 594 and the bars 588. Cutting blade 594 and fan blade576 are attached to a drive shaft 596 of hydraulic motor 598.

[0210] Trailing fan unit 554 differs from leading fan unit 552 in thatthe trailing fan unit 554 is adapted to be swung up and out of the wayof the trellis if necessary for egress into and exit out of the trellisor for angular adjustment with respect to the vine. Trailing fan unit554 is supported by vertical support members 600 and 602 connected by anupper horizontal cross member 604. Vertical support member 600 isattached to a pivotally supported member 606 which is operativelyconnected to a second pivoting support member 608 by a length adjustableturnbuckle or connector 610. The second pivotal support member 608 isconnected to the shaft of a hydraulic cylinder 612 which itself issupported by a horizontal member 614 extending forwardly from horizontalsupport member 556. The hydraulic cylinder 612 is not shown in itsentirety in FIG. 36 for the sake of clarity of other components. Withthis arrangement, retraction of the shaft of hydraulic cylinder 612causes upward movement of the fan housing of fan unit 554 with completeretraction providing movement to the phantom line position shown in FIG.38.

[0211] Further, trailing fan unit 554 includes a fan blade 616, a fanhousing 618, a fan housing intake operatively connected to a conicalcutting blade housing 620, an upper discharge channel 622, and an upperdischarge outlet 624. A cutting blade 626 is located in cutting bladehousing 620 just behind a cover plate or cowling 628 having an inlet oropening 630. Opening 630 like the intake opening in leading fan unit 552is covered by a plurality of adjustable rods or bars 588, each havinglarge diameter and small diameter portions 592 and 590. Trailing fanunit cover 628 has a forward bent edge 632 which facilitates movement ofthe fan unit along the vine. Cutting blade 626 and fan blade 616 areconnected to a drive shaft of a drive motor 634.

[0212] The cutting opening 630 of trailing fan unit 554 subtends an arcof over 90° but less than 180° and provides for leaf and small shootremoval over only a small section of the fan housing. In contrast, thecutting opening of leading fan unit 552 is circular and similar to theopening 516 of the fan unit 500 of FIGS. 34 and 35. In accordance withone example, the leading fan unit 552 has a cutting blade 594 with alength of about 16 inches while trailing fan unit 554 has a cuttingblade 626 with a length of 28 inches. Hence, the total effective area ofthe intake of each of the fan units 552 and 554 is substantially thesame even though the opening 630 is not circular.

[0213] With reference to FIGS. 38 and 38A-38D, each of the adjustablebars or rods 588 has depending studs 636 and 638 extending therefromwhich pass through stud receiving openings 640 and are adapted toreceive a locknut 642 for securement in a selected position. The spacingbetween the rods or bars 588 and the angle of attack of the rods withrespect to the vine can be adjusted or varied upon the conditions toprovide for more or less leaf and small shoot removal and also tofacilitate the guiding of the leaves and shoots to the inlet or cuttingopenings of the fan units.

[0214] With respect to FIGS. 38, 38A, and 38B of the drawings, the rodsor bars 588 have a substantially rectangular cross-section with thelarge portion 592 telescopically receiving at least a portion of thesmall end 590 therein with each of the large and small portions having aflat base which provides for a shearing action between the cuttingblades 594 and 626 and the lower surface of each of the bars or rods588.

[0215] With respect to FIGS. 38C and 38D of the drawings, it iscontemplated that the rods 588 may have other cross-sections thanrectangular. For example, the rods may have a semi-circularcross-section such as rods 644 of FIG. 38C or a triangular cross-sectionsuch as rods 646 of FIG. 38D. Each of the rods 644 and 646 have a flatbase which provides for shearing action between the base of the rod andthe cutting blades 594 and 626.

[0216] With respect to FIG. 37 of the drawings, horizontal mast member96 is shown to have an external hydraulic cylinder 648 which providesfor extension and retraction of a large rectangular section relative toa smaller rectangular section of horizontal member 96. Hence, one canadjust the horizontal position of the leading and trailing fan unitsrelative to the tractor by extending or retracting cylinder 648. Furtherone can adjust the vertical position of the leading and trailing fanunits with respect to the vine by adjusting the vertical support membersand/or the hydraulic cylinder 536.

[0217]FIGS. 39 and 40 of the drawings are directed to a modified leafremover or fan and blade unit 650 adapted for use with a high bilateralcordon trellis system and including a cane lifter 652 for lifting thecanes prior to leaf and small shoot removal. The leaf remover or unit650 is identical in construction to the leaf remover or unit 500 of FIG.34 with the exception of the addition of the cane lifter 652 includingan arcuate upper pipe or tube 654, a lower horizontal pipe or tube 656,an intermediate plate or skin 658, and a plurality of attachmentbrackets 660, 662, and 664 which provide for attachment of the canelifter 652 to the cover or front plate 666 of the fan unit.

[0218] Like fan unit 500 of FIG. 34, leaf remover or unit 650 of FIGS.39 and 40 includes a cutting blade 668, a fan blade 670, a plurality ofcross rods or bars 672, vertical support members 674 and 676, angleadjust members 678 and 680, a horizontal support member 682, a ballhitch 684, bolt nut and bracket assembly 686, and a motor 688.

[0219] As shown in FIG. 41 of the drawings, a single trellis shootpositioner such as a single curtain or bilateral cordon shoot positioner(Slawson-Meade) is generally designated by the reference numeral 670 andshown to include a plurality of selectively positioned motor drivenbrush units 672-682 supported from a horizontal member 684 extendingfrom a vertical member 686 of a mast 688 attached to the front of atractor 690. Such a single trellis shoot positioner is used tomechanically shoot position the vines to place the canes in properposition for the winter mechanical pruning operation. Shoot positioningis an effective method of improving fruit quality and of exposing thelower node to sunlight to make the basal nodes more productive thanunder shady conditions.

[0220] Shoot positioning has proven particularly effective with largevigorous vines on GDC which have a drooping-shoot growth habit. Also, assoon as the tendrils touch the wire or another cane, they fasten veryquickly. Therefore, vines are usually first shoot position just beforebloom. Shoot positioning may require a second pass with the mechanicalshoot positioner.

[0221] For the GDC system, all vigorous shoots growing between the twocordon wires must be pulled or brushed down in order to maintain twoseparate foliage canopies. This can be accomplished with the Oldridgeshoot positioner of FIGS. 42, 42A, 43, and 43A and middle breaker ofFIGS. 48 and 49. With particular reference to FIG. 42 of the drawings, agrape vine comber and shoot positioner adapted for use with a dividedcanopy is generally designated by the reference numeral 700 and is shownand described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,618 issued to Tommy L. Oldridge onApr. 7, 1992 and hereby incorporated by reference. The grapevine comberor combing unit 700 is operatively attached to a mast 702 on the frontof a tractor 704 and is adapted for use with a divided canopy vinesystem including a series of upright members 706 with cross-member 708in a “T” or “Y” configuration. Vine trunks 710 extend vertically past acentral wire to roof portions 712 which extend out to a cordon supportedby a cordon wire near the extremity of cross-member 708. Extendingdownwardly from the cordons are fruiting canes 714.

[0222] The grapevine combing unit and shoot positioner 700 is releasablymounted to a horizontal member 716 which is attached to the top of avertical mast member 718 of mast 702. Comber unit 700 includes ahorizontal support member 720 releasably attached to horizontal mastmember 716 by a ball hitch 722 and a bracket assembly 724. The comberunit 700 includes a U-shaped underslung frame 726 mounted to horizontalmember 720 so that the vine canes 714 can hang down within the U-shapedframe 726. A plurality of brushes 728, 730, 732, and 734 are supportedon the tractor side of an upright 736 of frame 726 and are operatedagainst a plurality of brushes 738 mounted on a vine side upright 740 tocomb the canes 714 hanging downwardly from the cordon and cordon wire.Brush 734 is a primary brush which grooms the roof portion 712 of thevine. However, primary brush 734 cannot effectively accomplish itspurpose without a counterforce being exerted from the underside of theroof portion 24 by a pivoting counterforce brush assembly 742 includingan elongate brush 744 which is urged upwardly against the lower surfaceof the roof portion of the canopy. As described in U.S. Pat. No.5,101,618, the brush 744 remains free to rotate downwardly about aspindle in response to contact of the brush with the canopy,cross-members 708, or other immovable objects.

[0223] In accordance with a particular example, the U-shaped frame 726and in particular the tractor side upright 736 is attached to verticalsupport members 746 and 748 received in respective mounting bracket 750attached to horizontal support member 720. Adjustment of the verticalsupport members 746 and 748 in their respect bracket 750 provides forraising and lowering of the brushes with respect to the divided canopysystem and vines. Further, the vertical position of the frame andbrushes can be adjusted by raising and lowering the vertical member 718of mast 702 by, for example, extending or contracting a hydrauliccylinder located within vertical member 718. Likewise, the comber unit700 can be adjusted horizontally with respect to the tractor 704 bymoving horizontal mast member 716 by, for example, extending orcontracting the hydraulic cylinder located within mast member 716.

[0224] Like the Oldridge vine comber 700 of FIG. 42, the vine comber andshoot positioner 760 of FIG. 42A is adapted to shoot position and vinecomb both halves of a GDC system and incorporates both right and leftvine combers or shoot positioner units 762 and 764 suspended from apower driven harvester chassis or modified high clearance type 4-wheeledtractor 766. Each of the combers or shoot positioning units 760 and 762is of substantially identical construction to the comber 700 of FIG. 42except that the comber unit 762 is a mirror image of the unit 764. Thecomber or shoot positioner 760 of FIG. 42A is adapted to treat bothhalves of the GDC or divided canopy system with a single pass of themachine along the row or vines. The comber 700 of FIG. 42 is adapted totreat one-half of the GDC system and as such requires two passes, onedown each side of the GDC, or divided canopy system, to treat the entirerow.

[0225] The comber units 762 and 764 of machine 760 each include aplurality of outer brushes 768 and 770, inner brushes 772 and 774, andpivoting counterforce brush assemblies 776 and 778. The inner brushesand pivoting counterforce brush assemblies 772 and 776 of unit 762, and774 and 778 of unit 764 are supported on respective vertical members 780and 782 which extend from respective horizontal members 784 and 786which are received in brackets or channels 788 and 790. The brackets 788and 790 are adjustably mounted to respective vertical support members792 and 794 which allow for vertical adjustment of the inner brushes andcounterforce brushes relative to the GDC system and vines.

[0226] Further, the outer brushes 768 and 770 of units 762 and 764 aresupported on respective vertical support members 796, 798, 800, and 802which are received in respective brackets 804 and 806 attached tohorizontal support members 808 and 810. Hence, the position of the outerbrushes 768 and 770 can be adjusted by adjusting the position of thevertical support members in their respective brackets.

[0227] Simultaneous vine combing, shoot positioning, and pruning isaccomplished using the comber, (positioner), pruner, and trimmer orpositioning and pruning unit 820 of FIG. 43. The unit 820 is identicalin construction to the comber and positioner unit 700 of FIG. 42 withthe exception of the addition of first and second horizontal sickles orcutter bars 822 and 824. The comber and pruner 820 includes a pluralityof outer brushes 826, inner brushes 828, and counterforce brush 830.First or lower horizontal sickle or cutter 822 is mounted atop avertical support member 832 received in a bracket 834 attached tohorizontal frame member 836. Lower sickle 822 is mounted near the frontof the unit 820 and in front of at least the lower exterior brushes 826to cut off and prune or trim any lower ends of canes or shoots extendingbelow sickle 822 and to facilitate the movement of the unit along thevine without having canes wrap around the lower frame members.

[0228] Lower sickle 822 includes a lower fixed sickle blade 840, anupper movable sickle blade 842, a support plate 844, a motor supportplate 846, a counterweighted drive disk 848, a drive rod 850, and adrive bracket 852 attached to upper blade 842. A motor, for example, ahydraulic motor, is attached to the rear surface of motor plate 846 andin position to drive disk 848.

[0229] Upper sickle 824 of unit 820 is located above lower sickle 822and behind brushes 826, 828, and 830 in a position to prune? cut, ortrim depending vine sections 854 of vines which have been positioned,combed, and the like by the brushes 826, 828, and 830. Upper sickle 824is identical in construction to lower sickle 822 and is supported from avertical support member 856 received in a bracket attached to ahorizontal support member 858. The position of each of the upper andlower sickles 824 and 822 can be adjusted by adjusting the relativepositions of their support members 856 and 832.

[0230] With reference to FIG. 43A of the drawings, a vine comber, shootpositioner, pruner and trimmer machine, or device generally designated860 includes right and left comber, positioner, pruner, and trimmerunits 862 and 864 extending downwardly from a modified high clearance4-wheeled tractor or harvester chassis 866. The units 862 and 864 areidentical in construction to the comber and pruner 820 of FIG. 43 exceptthat the unit 862 is a mirror image of the unit 864 and the framemembers and vertical support members are similar to those of the combermachine 760 of FIG. 42A. Like the comber and pruner unit 820 of FIG. 43,each of the comber and pruner units 862 and 864 of the machine 860include outer brushes 868 and 870, inner brushes 872 and 874,counterforce brushes 876 and 878, first lower forward horizontal sickles880 and 882, and second upper rear horizontal sickles 884 and 886.

[0231] The comber and pruner unit 820 of FIG. 43 is adapted to treatone-half of a GDC or other divided canopy trellising system while thecomber and pruner machine 860 of FIG. 43A is adapted to treat bothhalves of a GDC or other divided canopy system simultaneously and with asingle pass down along a row or vine.

[0232] The combing, shoot positioning, pruning, and trimming apparatusof FIGS. 42, 42A, 43, and 43A of the drawings, are particularly suitedfor use with GDC and other divided canopy trellises and trainingsystems, especially those with downward or drooping growth and fruitingzones.

[0233] As shown in FIGS. 44-47, a single curtain vine cane pruner isgenerally designated 900 and is identical to that shown and described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,544,444, issued to Tommy L. Oldridge on Aug. 13, 1996and hereby incorporated by reference. More particularly, FIGS. 44-47each relate respectively to FIGS. 2, 4, 6, and 8 of U.S. Pat. No.5,544,444. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,444, the vine cane pruner900 includes a main support structure or mast 902, a suspension carriage904, vertical cane pruners 906 and 908, and horizontal cane pruners 910and 912. As shown, the machine 900 is mounted on the mast 902 which isattached to the front of a tractor and has a horizontal member 914 whichextends laterally to the tractor and over the single curtain system. Thesuspension carriage 904 supports each of the vertical cane pruners 906and 908 on opposite sides of and on the front end of the carriage andsupports each of the horizontal cane pruners 910 and 912 on oppositesides of the carriage and rearwardly of the vertical cane pruners. Thus,as the vehicle travels along the single curtain trellis system, thetrellis and vine first pass between the vertical cane pruners 906 and908 and then between the horizontal cane pruners 910 and 912.

[0234] Each of the vertical cane pruners 906 and 908 include a housing920, a substantially planar reciprocating hedger, sickle, or cutter 922mounted on the housing with cutting teeth 924 extending forwardly from acane inlet end 926 to a cane outlet end 928. A cutter drive motor 930 isconnected to a suitable linkage 932 for driving the sliding tooth plateof the hedger 922 in relation to the fixed tooth plate.

[0235] Further, each of the vertical cane pruners 906 and 908 include avertical cane gathering device 934 including a plurality of prongs 936attached to fittings 938 which are themselves attached to a chain 940.The chain 940 is driven by a drive sprocket 942 operatively attached toa drive motor 944. In accordance with one example, prongs 936 are madeof lengths of {fraction (3/8)} inch rubber hose and are of sufficientlength to extend approximately 4 to 12 inches beyond the cutter 922. Thechain or spine 940 is driven in a counterclockwise direction so as tomove the prongs from the inlet end 926 to the outlet end 928 of hedger922. Also, each of the vertical cane pruners 906 and 908 include ahorizontal disk or bumper 946.

[0236] With respect to FIGS. 45 and 47 of the drawings, each of thehorizontal cane pruners 910 and 912 of the pruning machine 900 includesa housing 950 mounted on an arm 952. Each horizontal cane prunerincludes a substantially planar reciprocating hedger, pruner, sickle, orcutter 954 mounted on housing 950 with cutting teeth 956 facingsubstantially inwardly in relation to the pruning machine. A cutterdrive motor 958 is connected by a suitable linkage 960 for driving oneor both of the sliding tooth plates of the hedger 954.

[0237] Further, each of the horizontal cane pruners 910 and 912 includesa cane grabber or feeder 962 having a plurality of prongs 964 extendingfrom fittings 966 attached to a chain 968 driven by a drive sprocket 970operatively attached to a motor 972. The chain 968 of horizontal canepruner 910 is driven clockwise while the chain 968 of horizontal canepruner 912 is driven counterclockwise so that the prongs 964 of eachcane grabber 962 travel downwardly on the vine side of the respectivehousings 950. Lastly, each of the horizontal cane pruners 910 and 912include a horizontal disk or bumper 974 which are adapted to come intocontact with obstacles and cause the horizontal cane pruners to rotateon their pivot points to clear the obstacles and then return underspring bias to the operating position.

[0238] As shown in FIGS. 48 and 49 of the drawings and in accordancewith another aspect of the present invention, an Oldridge center breakergenerally designated 980 is shown to include a plurality of verticallydepending breaker bars or rods 982,984,986, and 988 each having anelongate downwardly extending portion and a forwardly bent portion atthe lower end thereof. The breaker bars 982-988 are adapted for clearingout the center of the top of a GDC, Y, U, or other double curtaintrellising system in order to open up the center, prepare the vine forshoot positioning and pruning, facilitate harvesting, and the like. Thebreaker bars 982-988 are adapted to be dragged along the row toreposition movable items such as canes, shoots, foliage, and the like,to partially remove, break, or clear away canes, foliage, shoots, andthe like, while tripping rearwardly and passing over immovable objectssuch as trellises, vine trunks, catch wire stakes, wires, and the like.Further, the breaker bars 982-988 open up the center and break orposition shoots to allow air and light into the center of the dividedcanopy system.

[0239] Also in accordance with the present invention, the center breaker980 can be used in combination with, for example, spraying equipment toaccomplish a plurality of activities while driving the tractor downalong the row. Also, although four breaker bars are shown in use inFIGS. 48 and 49, it is to be understood that one to four breaker barsmay be utilized simply by removing or adding breaker bars to the device.Also, additional breaker bars could be added for clearing, positioning,and breaking out the center on a larger trellising system.

[0240] In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 48 and 49 of thedrawings, each of the breaker bars 982-988 is supported in a releasablebracket 990 having one or more set screws 992 which hold the breaker bar982 in position relative to the bracket. Depending on the vine beingtreated, the breaker bar can be raised or lowered simply by looseningthe set screws 992, positioning the bar to the selected position, andtightening the set screws. Each of the brackets 990 is supported on anarcuate lever 994 which is pivotally attached to a support bracket 996by a bolt 998. Thus, each of the breaker bars 982 pivots in an arc aboutthe pivot point 998. Attached near the base of each of the levers 994 isone end of a coil spring 1000 having the other end thereof fixed to thelower end of a vertical support member 1002.

[0241] Each of the brackets 996 and support members 1002 are connectedto a rearwardly extending horizontal support member 1004. Each of thesupport members 1004 is received in an adjustment bracket 1006 whichallows for adjustment in the position of the support relative to a crossmember 1008. The cross member 1008 is attached to a forwardly extendingsupport assembly 1010 adapted to be attached to a horizontal member 1012of a mast 1014 on a tractor 1016 via a ball hitch 1018 and nut andbracket assemblies 1020.

[0242] With particular reference to FIGS. 48 and 49 of the drawings,breaker bars 982, 984, 986, and 988 of breaker device 980 are adapted totrip rearwardly upon contact with solid structures such as trellissupport arms 1022 and 1024 and vine trunks 1026. The amount of centerbreaking, shoot positioning, shoot breaking, foliage removal, and thelike by device 980 can be adjusted or controlled by selecting the lengthof the breaker bars, the strength of the trip springs 1000, the numberand rigidity of breaker bars, the ground speed of the tractor, and thelike. In accordance with a particular example, each of the breaker bars982-988 is made of a length of 2-6 ft., preferably 4 ft., of steel oraluminum pipe, tubing, rod, or the like having an outer diameter of from{fraction (1/2)} inch to 4 inches, preferably 1-2 inches.

[0243] As shown in FIGS. 50-52 of the drawings, a modified Orton slappergenerally designated 1030 is adapted for use with GDC and other dividedcanopy trellising systems and is designed to clean out the center of thetrellis removing shoots, foliage, fruit, and the like from the interiorof the trellis to open up the center of the trellis to light, air, andthe like. The modified slapper 1030 includes a support frame 1032 havinga support platform 1034 adapted to be releasably attached to ahorizontal member 1036 of a mast 1038 attached to a tractor 1040 via aball hitch 1042 and bolt and bracket assemblies. The slapper supportframe 1032 includes right and left side assemblies 1044 and 1046 whichserve as a yoke for supporting a rotary slapper unit 1048 on a driveshaft 1050 extending from a motor 1052 attached to a motor support plate1054 attached to left side frame assembly 1046. The drive shaft 1050 issupported by respective shaft journal bearings 1056 and 1058. Each ofthe shaft journals 1056 and 1058 is attached to a respective sideassembly 1046 and 1044.

[0244] The rotary slapper unit 1048 of modified slapper 1030 includeslarge right and left circular support plates 1060 and 1062 each attachedto shaft 1050 to rotate therewith and support therebetween a pluralityof cross members 1064 which serve as not only structural support membersbetween the plates 1060 and 1062 but also as attachment elements forextended striker straps or striker pairs 1066 and 1068. Each of thestriker straps or striker pairs 1066 and 1068 is releasably attached toa respective cross member 1064 by a bolt assembly 1070. The number andlocation of the striker straps or striker pairs 1066 and 1068 isselected to provide the desired clearing and removal of foliage, shoots,and the like from the center of the trellis. Successful operation ofthis unit is influenced by the size of the trellis, the condition of thevine, the ground speed of the tractor, and the like.

[0245] It is preferred to form each of the striker straps or strikerpairs 1066 and 1068 of a flexible yet sturdy material such as leather orrubber, pieces having a width of one to four inches, preferably twoinches, a thickness of at least {fraction (1/4)} inch, preferably{fraction (1/2)} inch, and a length of from 1 to 3 feet, preferably 18to 24 inches. In accordance with one example of the present invention,each of the slapper or striker straps is about 2 inches in width by 18inches in length and formed of rubber belting material, the modifiedslapper has 4 to 6 slappers or slapper pairs, the circular supportplates have a diameter of about 20 inches, the circular plates aresupported by 6 cross members, and the overall width and length of themodified slapper are 32 inches by about 56 inches.

[0246] As shown in FIGS. 50-51 of the drawings, there are six strikerpairs 1066 and 1068 attached to support members 1064 in sets of twopairs at an angular spacing of 120° between sets. It is to be understoodthat singular striker straps 1066 or 1068 may be attached in such anarrangement, that additional sets of strikers or striker pairs may beadded, or that fewer sets of strikers or striker pairs may be used toaccomplish the desired clearing and cleaning out of the center orinterior of the trellis. FIGS. 51 and 52 show the modified slapper 1030in use with a GDC and Lyre or “U” trellis, respectively.

[0247] With reference to FIG. 50 of the drawings, in accordance withanother aspect of the present invention, a speed gauge 1076 may be addedto the modified slapper 1030 to provide the tractor operator with anindication of the speed of rotation of the rotary unit 1048 so that adesired removal can be reproduced from row to row by selecting a speedof rotation of the rotary slapper unit 1048, selection and arrangementof striker slapper or striker pairs, ground speed of tractor, and thelike.

[0248] As shown in FIG. 53 of the drawings, a bow, bow-head, or Quad-rodfruit thinner is generally designated 1080 and adapted for use with asingle curtain system. The bow-head or Quad-rod fruit thinner 1080 isattached to a horizontal member 1082 of a mast 1084 attached to atractor 1086. The bow or Quad-rod fruit thinner includes right and leftbow-rod support and drive assemblies extending downwardly from ahorizontal support member 1092. Each of the side assemblies 1088 and1090 supports four bow-rods 1094 with the bow-rods of the left sideassembly offset slightly lower than the bow-rods of the right sideassembly. The bow-head or Quad-rod fruit thinner includes a drive motor1096 which drives an output shaft 1098 which provides reciprocatorydrive to the bow-rods of the right side assembly via a rotary toreciprocating converter 1100. Drive is transferred from shaft 1098 to asecond shaft 1104 via a drive belt 1102 and from second shaft 1104 to arotary to reciprocatory converter 1106 to drive the bow-rods of the leftside assembly.

[0249] Bow-head or Quad-rod fruit thinner 1080 may include a speed gauge1108 which provides an indication to the tractor operator of the speedof rotation of the shafts 1098 and 1104 and the speed of reciprocationor operation of the bow-rods 1094. One can adjust the amount of fruitthinning by adjusting the speed of operation of the bow-rods, the numberof bow-rods, the angle or inclination of the bow-rods, the rigidity ofthe bow-rods, the ground speed of the tractor, and the like.

[0250] With reference to FIGS. 54 and 55 of the drawings, and inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a modifiedbow, bow-head or Quad-rod fruit thinner is generally designated 1120 andcan be used for use with the modified “U” of FIG. 80 or adapted for usewith GDC or other divided canopy trellising systems. Bow-head orQuad-rod fruit thinner 1120 is similar in construction to the bow-heador Quad-rod fruit thinner 1080 of FIG. 53 in that it is supported from ahorizontal member 1122 of a mast 1124 attached to the front of a tractor1126. Further, the bow-rod fruit thinner 1120 includes right and leftbow-rod assemblies 1128 and 1130 depending from a horizontal supportmember 1132, a motor 1134, first and second drive shafts 1138, a drivebelt 1140, rotary to reciprocatory converters 1142 and 1144, and a speedgauge 1146.

[0251] The bow-rod fruit thinner 1120 of FIGS. 54 and 55 differs fromthe bow-rod fruit thinner 1080 of FIG. 53 in that different sizedbow-rods are arranged in an alternating sequence of small and largebow-rods 1148 and 1150 with the bow-rods of the left assembly 1130slightly offset downwardly from the bow-rods of the right assembly 1128.With particular reference to FIG. 55 of the drawings, each of the shortbow-rods 1148 is angled inwardly with respect to the adjacent longerbow-rod 1150. Further, it is to be understood that the bow-rods may beangled downwardly, for example, from 5-30° with respect to horizontaldepending on the cultivar, trellis, and fruit load. With respect to aparticular example of the present invention, each of the bow-rods 1150is about 44 inches in overall length and made from a flexible beater rodmaterial about 1 inch in diameter, each of the short bow-rods 1148 isabout 24-32 inches in overall length and formed of the same flexiblebeater rod material, also the gap between the bow-rods of the leftassembly and the right assembly is about 4 or more inches to preventexcessive damage to the vine, trellis, and the like.

[0252] The bow-rod fruit thinner 1120 is adapted for use with a GDC orother divided canopy trellising system. In particular, selected bow-rodsmay be removed to avoid contact with a cordon. Also, the thinner 1120may be adapted for use with GDC by removing the right or left assembly1128 and 1130 and/or tilting one or both of the right or left assemblyto a 10-20° angle with respect to vertical. In accordance with oneexample, the bow-head or bow-rod fruit thinner 1120 is adapted for usewith a GDC trellising system by removing the right assembly 1128altogether and tilting the left assembly 1130 at a 10-20° angle withrespect to vertical. Alternatively, both the right and left assembliesmay be angled away from on another and mounted under a harvester chassisto simultaneously treat both sides of a GDC or other divided canopysystem having flexible or pivoting support arm.

[0253] With reference to FIG. 56 of the drawings, a vertical andhorizontal sickle or hedger unit 1160 is shown to include first andsecond vertical sickles or cutter bars 1162 and 1164 and a trailinghorizontal sickle or cutter bar 1166 adapted for use with a singlecurtain system. The first and second vertical sickles or hedgers 1162and 1164 extend from respective support brackets 1168 and 1170 attachedto a horizontal support member 1172 releasably attached to a horizontalmember 1174 of a mast 1176 on a tractor 1178 by a ball hitch 1180 andbolt and bracket assemblies 1182.

[0254] Horizontal sickle 1166 is attached to a vertical support member1184 received in a collar or bracket 1186 attached to a horizontalmember 1188 received in a collar or bracket 1190 attached to horizontalsupport member 1172. The support members 1184 and 1188 and brackets 1186and 1190 allow for adjustment of the location of the horizontal sicklerelative to the vertical sickles 1162 and 1164 with respect to not onlythe height of the horizontal sickle 1166 but also the distance that thehorizontal sickle trails the vertical sickles 1162 and 1164. Each of thesickles or hedgers 1162, 1164, and 1166 includes a drive motor 1192, adrive disk 1194, a drive rod 1196, a drive bracket 1198 attached to amovable set of teeth 2000 which translate relative to a fixed set ofteeth 2002 to provide for cutting, pruning, trimming, hedging, and thelike.

[0255] As shown in FIG. 57 of the drawings, a top and side prunergenerally designated 2010 is similar in construction to the top and sidepruner 1160 of FIG. 56 except that the vertical sickles have beenshortened and the horizontal sickle has been raised to adapt the top andside pruner 2010 for GDC or other divided canopy systems. Moreparticularly, top and side pruner 2010 includes first and secondvertical sickles or hedgers 2012 and 2014 and a trailing horizontalsickle or hedger 2016. Vertical sickles 2012 and 2014 and trailinghorizontal sickle 2016 can be tilted relative to vertical to accommodatea Y or GDC trellis by either tilting mast 2018 (see FIG. 74) or byangling the attachment of each of the sickles to support member 2020.The short second vertical sickle or hedger 2014 is adapted to beinserted down inside a Lyre or “U” trellis and prune or trim foliage,shoots, and the like from the interior of the trellis. The firstvertical sickle 2012 is adapted to prune or trim on the outside of thetrellis. The trailing horizontal sickle 2016 is adapted to trim abovethe trellis.

[0256] As shown in FIG. 58 of the drawings and in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention, a single vertical sicklepruner 2030 includes a vertical sickle or hedger 2032 pivotally attachedto a support bracket 2034 by a bolt 2036. Attached to bracket 2034 is astop 2038 which limits forward travel of the sickle 2032. One end of aspring 2040 is attached to sickle 2032 while the other end is attachedto a forwardly extending support member 2042. The spring 2040 allows thesickle 2032 to trip rearwardly should the sickle contactan immovableoruncutable object. Support member 2042 is attached to a horizontalsupport member 2044 which is releasably attached to a horizontal member2046 of a mast 2048. Single vertical sickle pruner 2030 is adapted forsummer pruning of, for example, a single curtain system.

[0257] With reference to FIGS. 59 and 60 of the drawings, an angularlyadjustable summer cane pruner is generally designated 2050 and shownattached to the end of a horizontal member 2052 of a mast attached to atractor. The pruner 2050 includes a sickle or hedger 2054 pivotallyattached to a cantilever member 2056 by a bolt 2058. The cantilevermember 2056 is attached to a collar 2060 which is received on a supportmember 2062 which is attached to a support plate 2064 which isreleasably attached to mast member 2052 by a ball hitch 2066 and nut andbracket assemblies 2068. Sickle 2054 is biased downwardly to theposition shown in FIG. 59 by a spring 2070 having one end attached to amotor support plate 2072 and the other end attached to a flangeextending from a horizontal valve support plate 2074 attached to collar2060. The sickle 2054 is raised to a horizontal position by retractionof a shaft 2076 of a hydraulic cylinder 3078 having the shaft pivotallyattached to motor support plate 2072 by a bolt 2080. The opposite end ofhydraulic cylinder 2078 is attached to an almost vertical support member2082 by a pivot pin 2084. Hydraulic cylinder 2078 is controlled by ahydraulic cylinder control valve 2086 attached to valve support plate2074. The hydraulic cylinder support plate 2082 is fixed to cantilevermember 2056.

[0258] A vertical valve support plate 2088 is attached to collar 2060and supports a hydraulic motor speed control valve 2090 having a controllever 2092 which allows the operator to control the speed of sicklemotor 2094. Sickle 2054 also includes a drive disk 2096, a drive rod2098, a drive bracket 2100, a movable rack or set of cutting teeth 2102,and a fixed rack or set of cutting teeth 2104. Hydraulic lines 2106 and2108 are operatively connected to the hydraulic system of the tractor oran auxiliary hydraulic system attached to the tractor.

[0259] Hydraulic cylinder control valve 2086 receives electronic signalsfrom, for example, a control panel located adjacent to the tractoroperator to raise and lower the sickle 2054 by extending and contractingcylinder 2078. One can easily maneuver the sickle 2054 over the side ofa Lyre, “U”, or modified “U” trellis by raising the sickle 2054 to thehorizontal position shown in FIG. 60, extending the horizontal member2052 of the mast to locate the sickle 2054 inward of the side 2110 of amodified “U” trellis 2112, and then lowering the sickle 2054 to thevertical position shown in FIG. 59 by extending hydraulic cylinder 2078.One can adjust the amount of pruning or trimming by adjusting thelocation of the sickle relative to the vine, adjusting the speed of themotor 294, selecting the ground speed of the tractor or other machinery,and the like.

[0260] As shown in FIG. 61 of the drawings and in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention, a modified singlehorizontal rotary cutter or pruner adapted for use in, for example, thedormant pruning of the canes adjacent to the cordon of Vitis viniferaand French-American hybrid vines is generally designated 2120 and shownto include a rotary cut head 2122 attached to the end of a horizontalsupport member 2124 pivotally attached to a base 2126 of a verticalsupport member 2128. The vertical support member is adjustably receivedin a bracket or collar 2130 attached to one end of a horizontal supportmember 2132 which itself is received in an adjustable support bracket orcollar 2134 attached to a support platform 2136. The support platform2136 is releasably attached to a horizontal member 2138 of mast 2140 ontractor on 2142 by a ball hitch 2144 and bolts 2146 (FIGS. 62 and 63).

[0261] Horizontal support member 2124 pivots about a vertical axis withforward movement of support member 2124 limited by a vertical stop 2148extending downwardly from base 2126. Further, a spring 2150 extends fromsupport member 2124 to a forwardly extending anchor member 2152 attachedto base 2126 to draw support member 2124 and rotary cut head 2122forwardly while allowing the rotary head and support member 2124 topivot or trip rearwardly when the rotary head contacts an immovable oruncutable object such as a trellis or post.

[0262] Rotary cut head 2122 of horizontal rotary cutter or pruner 2120includes a free wheeling or idling deflector assembly 2154 and a housing2156, a cutting blade having radial cutting teeth extending from acutting opening in the housing, and a hydraulic motor 2160 for rotatingthe cutting blade and teeth relative to the housing. The motor 2160 isattached to housing 2156 which is attached to support member 2124. Thedeflector assembly 2154 includes a horizontal circular plate or disk2162 and a plurality of deflecting veins or vertical flanges 2164 weldedto the disk 2162. The disk 2162 is rotatably journaled on a shaft 2166with disk 2162 free to rotate in either direction upon contact of one ormore of the deflecting veins 2164 with an immovable object or an objectlarger than the space between the veins, such as the trunk of a vine.The deflector assembly 2154, and in particular the deflecting veins2164, are shaped and spaced to prevent the contact of the cutting teeth2158 with an immovable object such as a trellis or post and to preventobjects larger then, for example, 1 or 2 inches in diameter, preferablyanything larger than 1{fraction (1/2)} inches in diameter, from beingcut or pruned. Since the entire rotary cutting head 2122 can triprearwardly and the deflector assembly 2154 is free to rotate about shaft2156, the rotary cut head 2122 is adapted to prune, trim, or cut smalleritems such as shoots or canes without damaging trellises, vine trunks,or the like.

[0263] The horizontal rotary cutter or pruner 2120 of FIG. 61 isespecially adapted for the horizontal cutting and pruning ofsubstantially vertically oriented canes or shoots, for example, in thedormant pruning of Vitis vinifera or French-American hybrid grape vines(seasonal charts of FIGS. 94-97). The horizontal rotary cutter 2120 ishighly versatile in that the vertical height can be adjusted over a widerange by adjusting the position of vertical support member 2128 relativeto support bracket 2130, and the distance of the rotary cut head 2122from the tractor can be adjusted by adjusting horizontal support member2132 relative to bracket 2134. The cutter 2120 can be used withdifferent trellises or training systems including California T-trellis,standard vertical moveable catch wire, GDC, Lyre, “U”, Smart-Dysonballerina, Scott-Henry, or the like. Typically the canes are cut orpruned by the rotary cutting teeth 2158 of rotary cut head 2122 within afew inches of a substantially horizontal cordon.

[0264] Although the cutting teeth of blade 2158 of rotary cut head 2122are shown as large triangular cutting teeth, it is contemplated that inaccordance with the present invention any circular cutting blade such asa circular saw cutting blade for cutting wood may be used as the rotarycutting blade.

[0265] In accordance with a particular example, the rotary cutting blade2158 is a conventional circular saw blade adapted for cutting wood andhaving an outer diameter from about 10-36 inches.

[0266] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention,and as shown in FIGS. 62 and 63 of the drawings, a dual unit horizontalrotary cutter or pruner generally designated 2170 is substantiallyidentical in construction to the single horizontal rotary cutter 2120 ofFIG. 61 except that a second trailing horizontal rotary cutter 2172 hasbeen added. Items having identical construction to that shown in FIG. 61have the same reference numeral. The second and trailing rotary cutter2172 is similar in construction to the cutter 2120 except that thesupport arm and motor are located above the rotary cut head to prevententanglement or obstruction of the support arm and motor of the secondtrailing cutter 2172 with, for example, the interior of a Lyre, “U”, ormodified “U” trellis.

[0267] The dual unit horizontal rotary cutter or pruner 2170 includes afirst or leading rotary cutter 2122 and a second or trailing rotarycutter 2172. The rotary cutters 2122 and 2172 are designed and adaptedto simultaneously prune or cut substantially vertically oriented canes,shoots, or the like extending from a cordon. The rotary cutters 2122 and2172 can be used to simultaneously prune, for example, a Vitis viniferaor French-American hybrid vine trained on a standard vertical catchwire, Lyre, “U”, or modified “U” trellis or trellising system. Incontrast, the single rotary cutter 2122 of the single horizontal rotarycutter 2120 of FIG. 61 is adapted to prune or trim only one side or theexterior of a trellis, for example, a GDC or other divided canopytrellis.

[0268] The trailing rotary cutter 2172 has a cut head 2173 and isoperatively attached to a bracket 2174 extending from a horizontalsupport member 2176 pivotally attached to a base 2178 of a verticalsupport member 2180 adjustably received in a bracket or collar 2182attached to a second collar or bracket 2184 adjustably received onhorizontal support member 2132.

[0269] Rotary cut head 2173 includes a free-wheeling or idling deflectorassembly 2186 having a plurality of veins or vertical deflector members2188 fixed to a rotating disk 2190. Further, rotary cut head 2173includes a cutting blade 2192 having cutting teeth extending from anopening in a housing 2194. Cutting blade 2192 rotates within housing2194 under operation of a motor 2196. Further, support arm 2176 androtary cutter 2173 are biased forwardly or towards the leading rotarycutter 2122 by a spring 2198 attached to support arm 2176 and a member2200 extending from base 2178. A stop 2202 limits forward travel of thesecond cutter and support arm 2173 and 2176.

[0270] With reference again to FIGS. 62 and 63 of the drawings, cut head2173 of second or trailing rotary cutter 2172 is shown in its forwardmost position where it trails the cut head 2122 of the first or leadingcutter by at least several inches. Both rotary cutters 2122 and 2172 ofdual horizontal cutter or pruner 2170 are free to trip rearwardly shouldthey contact an immoveable or uncutable object.

[0271] As shown in FIGS. 64 and 65 of the drawings and in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention a vertical rotarycutter and cane grabber assembly or vertical pruner is generallydesignated 2210 and is shown adapted for use with a single curtain highbilateral cordon system and suited for dormant pruning of the canes ofVitis vinifera and French-American hybrid grape vines. Although thevertical rotary cutter and grabber 2210 is shown in use in conjunctionwith a single curtain high bilateral cordon arrangement, it iscontemplated that this device may be used for the vertical pruning orcutting of substantially horizontally oriented canes of vines on othertraining or trellising systems. The vertical rotary cutter and canegrabber 2210 includes a vertical rotary cutter 2212 and a substantiallyvertical cane grabber 2214. The vertical rotary cutter 2212 includes avertical rotary cut head 2216 and a parallel deflector or guide roller2218 operatively supported from a vertical support member 2220, the baseof which is attached to first end of a horizontal support member 2222pivotally attached at its second end to a lower end of a verticalsupport member 2224 by a bolt 2226. A spring 2228 having one endattached to horizontal member 2222 and the other end attached tovertical member 2224 allows the vertical cutter 2212 to trip rearwardlyshould it contact an immovable or uncutable object. Vertical supportmember 2224 is attached to a horizontal support member 2230 releasablyattached to a horizontal member 2232 of mast 2234 by a ball-hitch 2236and bolts 2238.

[0272] Further, rotary cut head 2216 includes a housing 2240 attached tovertical member 2220 by a short member 2242. Also, housing 2240 supportsupper and lower brackets or journals 2244 and 2246 which supportdeflector roller 2218 therebetween. Housing 2240 supports a motor 2248,for example, a hydraulic motor, having a drive shaft operativelyattached to a rotary cutting blade 2250 having a plurality of cuttingteeth 2252 thereon. A plurality of separate cutting teeth 2254 are fixedto a cutting opening 2256 of housing 2240 to form a circular or rotarysickle or hedger with the rotating cutting teeth 2252 of cutting blade2250.

[0273] Deflector or idler roller 2218 of the vertical rotary cutter unit2212 of the rotary cutter and cane grabber 2210 of FIGS. 64 and 65 isadapted to contact the cordon and guide the vertical cutter 2216 alongthe cordon to trim or prune the canes extending therefrom while at thesame time serving as a deflector for deflecting the vertical cutter 2216away from immovable objects such as a trellis or post 2258, a vinetrunk, and the like. The vertical cutter 2212 can trip rearwardly shouldthe roller 2218 or forward edge or surfaces of the cutter 2216 contactan immovable object and thereby prevent damage to the teeth 2252 and2254.

[0274] Cane grabber 2214 of vertical pruner or rotary cutter and grabber2210 of FIGS. 64 and 65 are similar in construction to the cane grabbers962 of FIG. 47 of the drawings with the exception that inner and outerhousings 2260 and 2262 of cane grabber 2214 include elongated upperprotrusions 2264 and 2266, respectively, which facilitate the removal ofcut cane pieces from the cane grabber once they have been trimmed fromthe vine by the vertical rotary cutter 2216. The cane grabber 2214includes a plurality of flexible fingers 2268 extending from a chain2270 driven in a counter-clockwise direction by a motor 2272 mounted ona plate 2274 attached to housing 2262.

[0275] As shown in FIGS. 64 and 65 of the drawings, the vertical rotarycutter 2216 is mounted substantially parallel to the tractor and vinewhile the cane grabber 2214 is offset at an angle of, for example, 20°to 60°, preferably 30° to 45°, with respect to the plane of the cutter2216. With the fingers 2268 moving about the cane grabber 2214 in acounter-clockwise direction, the fingers tend to grab and direct thecanes toward the cutting blade 2250 and cutting opening 2256 of verticalcutter 2216. Also, the fingers 2268 draw the cut ends of the canes awayfrom the vertical cutter 2216 and then the protrusions 2264 and 2266 ofthe housings 2260 and 2262 force the cut cane pieces and any uncut canesaway from the fingers and away from the device to avoid entanglement ofthe device with sections of cut cane as well as uncut canes which wouldotherwise tend to wrap around and be entangled with the device. It is tobe understood that the vine and canes are not shown in FIG. 65 for thesake of clarity of the device 2210 and its components. Cane grabber 2214and more particularly housing 2260 is attached to a first end of ahorizontal member 2276 pivotally attached at its second end to the lowerend of a vertical member 2278 by a bolt 2280. A spring 2282 has one endattached to horizontal member 2276 and the other end attached tovertical member 2278 to allow the cane grabber 2214 to trip rearwardlyshould it contact an immovable obstruction or object. The upper end ofvertical member 2278 is attached to horizontal support member 2230.

[0276] In accordance with one example of the vertical rotary cutter andcane grabber 2210, the cane grabber 2214 includes a plurality offlexible fingers 2268 formed of 9-12 inch lengths of ⅜ to {fraction(3/4)} inch diameter hydraulic line having a metal fitting on each endthereof and rotary cutting blade 2250 having an outer diameter of from10-36 inches. Also in accordance with one example, it is preferred todrive the motor, chain, and fingers of cane grabber 2214 in acounter-clockwise direction while driving the motor and cutting blade ofthe rotary cutter 2216 in a clock-wise direction using separatehydraulic motors 2272 and 2248 receiving hydraulic fluid from thehydraulic system of the tractor or an auxiliary hydraulic system mountedon the tractor.

[0277] As shown in FIGS. 66 and 70 of the drawings, and in accordancewith alternative embodiments of the present invention, vertical prunerunits, devices, or apparatus generally designated 2290 and 2292 eachinclude respective vertical sickles or cutters 2294 and 2296 and canegrabbers 2298 and 2300. The vertical pruner 2290 of FIG. 66 is similarto the vertical pruner 2210 of FIG. 64 except that the rotary cutter hasbeen replaced with a vertical linear, sickle, hedger, or the like andthat both the cane grabber 2298 and vertical cutter 2294 are supportedfrom above rather than from the side. The vertical pruner 2292 of FIG.70 is similar to the vertical pruner 2290 of FIG. 66, except that thecane grabber 2300 and vertical cutter 2296 are supported from above in aposition closer to the ground than that of the cane grabber 2298 andvertical cutter 2294 of vertical pruner 2290.

[0278] With reference again to FIG. 66 of the drawings, the cane grabber2298 like cane grabber 2214 of FIG. 64, includes outer housings 2302 and2304 and a plurality of flexible fingers 2306 extending from a chain2308 driven in a counter-clockwise direction by a motor 2310 mounted ona plate 2312 attached to housing 2302. Plate 2312 is attached to asupport plate 2314 attached to the lower end of a vertical supportmember 2316 the upper end of which is attached to a horizontal supportmember 2318 releasably attached to a horizontal mast member 2320.

[0279] The vertical linear cutter, sickle, hedger, or the like 2294includes an elongate cutting bar 2322 and a parallel deflector or guideroller 2324 supported by a vertical support member 2326 the upper end ofwhich is pivotally attached to a horizontal support member 2318. Aspring 2328 having one end attached to a member extending fromhorizontal support member 2318 and the other end attached to verticalsupport member 2326 allows the vertical pruner 2294 to trip rearwardlyshould the deflector roller or sickle contact an immovable or uncuttableobject. Vertical pruner 2294 further includes a hydraulic motor 2330, adrive link 2332, and a drive bracket 2334 attached to a movable set ofcutting teeth. Deflector roller 2324 is supported at its upper and lowerends by brackets or journals 2336 and 2338.

[0280] Vertical pruner or pruning and grabbing unit 2290 operates in thesame fashion as vertical pruner 2210 of FIGS. 64 and 65 and is adaptedfor dormant pruning as described, for example, in stage chart XII ofFIG. 97.

[0281]FIGS. 67 and 68 of the drawings, illustrate a modified Smart-Dysonballerina trellising system 2350 having the shoot growth from the topcanes trained upward and the shoot growth from the bottom canes traineddownward. The upward shoot growth is hedged to prevent an umbrella-likecanopy from developing. Upward shoot growth is held in place by twopairs of catch wires 2352 and 2354 supported on spaced vertical posts2356. The downward growth is not hedged and is allowed to develop anumbrella-like canopy similar to a bilateral cordon. Hence, the upperhalf (40 inches, 1.02 m) is treated as Vertical Shoot Positioned (VSP)while the lower half (48 inches, 1.2 m) is treated as bilateraltrellising systems. The Smart-Dyson Ballerina trellis 2350 is modifiedfrom that described in an article by Dr. Richard Smart, the AustralianGrape Grower and Winemaker, May 1994, pages 27 and 28. The Smart-DysonBallerina trellis has two fruiting zones each approximately within 14inches above and below the cordon.

[0282] The Smart-Dyson Ballerina trellis system was developed by Dr.Richard Smart of Port Macguaire, Australia, and John Dyson of New York.This system was designed to manage extremely high vigor vinifera vinesto obtain fruit shoot balance and produce both high yields and quality.The advantage of this modified Smart-Dyson system is the “Ballerina”that has a single cordon with spurs at 48 inches or 1.2 m. The spursthat are on the lower part of the 180° of the cordon forms the lowerbalerina and the upper spurs form the vertical shoot position part ofthe system. The lower part of the Smart-Dyson Ballerina system ismechanized in the same manner as shown with respect to the bilateralcordon system. The upper part of the system is trained utilizing theequipment shown for use with vertical shoot position systems.

[0283] With reference to FIG. 69 of the drawings, a leaf removal unit2360 is shown in operation in connection with the upper half of aSmart-Dyson ballerina system. The leaf removal unit 2360 of FIG. 69 issimilar to the leaf removal unit 500 of FIG. 34 and includes a fan unit2362 substantially identical to the fan unit 552 of FIGS. 36 and 37.Leaf remover or unit 2360 includes the single vertically and angularlyadjustable blade and fan unit 2362 adapted for cleaning one side of astandard vertical, movable catch wire trellising system, for example,the upper half of a Smart-Dyson ballerina trellising system. Fan unit2362 includes a fan blade 2364, a fan housing 2366, an intake contactedto a conical cutting blade housing 2368, and a discharge 2368 at thelower end of the housing 2366. A cutting blade 2370 is located in thecutting blade housing 2366 behind a plurality of adjustable length barsor rods 2372 which pass across a circular fan intake opening in acowling or cover plate 2374 having a bent forward surface 2376. The barsor rods 2372 are spaced a sufficient distance apart to allow leaves orsmall shoots to enter the fan intake and to be cut by the blade 2370 orby being sheared between the rods and the blade. Fan blade 2364 andcutting blade 2370 are mounted on a drive shaft 2378 which is rotatablydriven by a hydraulic motor 2380 and supported by a pair of spaced shaftbearings 2382.

[0284] The fan unit 2362 of leaf remover 2360 is vertically andpivotally supported by spaced vertical support members 2384 adjustablyattached to a horizontal support member 2386 which is releasablyattached to a horizontal mast member 2388. The angle of the fan andblade unit 2362 is selected by adjusting the relative position of firstand second angle support members 2390 and 2392 with the upper end ofmember 2390 being attached to horizontal support member 2386 and thelower end of member 2392 being pivotally attached to the upper end offan housing 2366. Like fan unit 500 of FIG. 34, the vertical positionand angle of the fan unit 2362 can be quickly and easily altered oradjusted to accommodate different trellising systems and growth habits.Further, the length adjustable bars or rods 2372 like the rods or bars588 of fan unit 552 and fan unit 554 can be placed at different anglesand spaced at selected distance (as shown in FIG. 38) to accommodatediffering foliage loads, desired clearance, tractor speed, and the like.

[0285] With reference again to FIG. 70 of the drawings, vertical pruner2292 is substantially identical to vertical pruner 2290 of FIG. 66except that the vertical support members 2396 and 2398 of the canegrabber 2300 and vertical sickle 2296, respectively, have beenlengthened in order to prune the lower ballerina section of aSmart-Dyson ballerina trellising system.

[0286] As shown in FIG. 71 of the drawings and in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention, a modified dual sicklehorizontal cutter is generally designated 2400 and shown to include ashort length, fixed position upper sickle 2402 and an elongate,rearwardly tripping lower sickle 2404. This cutter 2400 is a highlymodified version of a horizontal sickle unit developed and tested by Dr.C. Intrieri of Bologna, Italy. The horizontal dual sickle cutter 2400 isadapted, for example, for trimming all shoots to approximately 15 or 30inches above the vineyard floor as described in stage charts III, IV,VII, VIII, IX, and XII of FIGS. 88, 89, 92, 93, 94, and 97,respectively.

[0287] The short length, fixed angular position upper sickle 2402 islocated above and slightly forwardly of the lower longer horizontalsickle 2404. Upper horizontal sickle 2402 includes a hydraulic motor2406 attached to a plate 2408 which is attached to a base member 2410 onthe lower end of a vertical support member 2412. Like the verticalsupport member 2128 of FIG. 61, the vertical support member 2412 isadjustably received in a bracket or collar 2414 attached to one end of ahorizontal support member 2416 which itself is received in an adjustablesupport bracket or collar 2418 attached to a support platform 2420. Thesupport platform 2420 is releasably attached to a horizontal mast member2422 of a mast 2424 attached to a frame member 2426 of a tractor 2428.The support platform 2420 is releasably attached to horizontal mastmember 2422 via a ball hitch and bolt assemblies.

[0288] Upper horizontal sickle 2402 further includes a drive disk 2430operatively attached to a drive shaft of motor 2406. A drive link 2432has one end attached to drive disk 2430 and the other end attached to adrive bracket 2434 which is attached to a movable set of cutting teeth2436.

[0289] Lower horizontal sickle 2404 includes an elongate support member2438 attached to a support plate 2440 pivotally attached to the lowerend of base 2410 of vertical support member 2412. The pivotal connectionbetween support plate 2440 and base 2410 includes a torsion spring whichallows support member 2438 of lower horizontal sickle 2404 to triprearwardly about a vertical axis should the lower horizontal sicklecontact an immovable or uncuttable object. More particularly, a singlelarge bumper disk or roller 2442 and plurality of smaller bumper rollersor disks 2444 are rotatably attached to corresponding cantilever supportmembers 2446 and 2448 which are attached to support member 2438. Therollers or disks 2442 and 2444 are adapted to contact, for example, vinetrunks, posts, trellises, and the like and cause the horizontal sickle2404 to trip rearwardly before such objects can contact cutting teeth2450 and cause damage to the lower sickle 2404. The rollers or bumpers2442 and 2444 are spaced from one another a selected distance to onlyallow items having a diameter or width of less than about two inches,preferably less than one inch to pass between the rollers and contactthe cutting teeth 2450. Like sickle 2402, lower sickle 2404 includes amotor and drive linkage for reciprocating the cutting teeth 2450.

[0290] The unit 2400 includes a plurality of set screws or bolts whichmake it easy to quickly and easily adjust the vertical height of theupper and lower horizontal sickles 2402 and 2404. The short fixed, upperhorizontal sickle 2402 tends to protect the support structure and drivearrangement of the sickles by cutting any canes or vineyard floor growthwhich would otherwise wrap around or entangle these items. The lowerhorizontal sickle 2404 provides the bulk of the trimming of canes andshoots at a selected distance above the vineyard floor, for example 15or 30 inches, prior to harvest to facilitate mechanical harvestingusing, for example, a harvester such as shown in FIGS. 83, 84, 85, orthe like.

[0291] With reference to FIG. 72 of the drawings and in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention, a more simplified singleunit single bar half-row horizontal cutter generally designated 2460 isshown to include an elongate, rearwardly tripping, sickle 2462substantially identical to the lower horizontal sickle 2404 of dualsickle horizontal cutter 2400 of FIG. 71. The single horizontal sickleunit 2460 of FIG. 72 differs from the dual unit 2400 of FIG. 71 in thatit does not include the upper short fixed horizontal sickle 2402 anddoes include a forwardly extending arced rod or bar 2464 which serves todirect canes, shoots, and the like toward the cutting teeth 2466 ofsickle 2462. The cane guiding bar 2464 is fixed in position relative tosupport member 2468 of sickle 2462.

[0292] As shown in phantom lines in FIG. 72 of the drawings, horizontalsickle 2462 may be vertically adjusted to a variety of selected verticalpositions, for example, 15 inches or 30 inches from the vineyard floor,depending on what trellising system is being trimmed or pruned. Forexample, trimming of shoots and canes prior to harvest may require theshoots or canes to be trimmed to approximately 30 inches above thevineyard floor as described in stage chart VII of FIG. 92.

[0293] With reference to FIG. 73 of the drawings, a double or dual unitfull-row horizontal cutter is generally designated 2470 and shown toinclude inner and outer dual sickle horizontal cutter arrangements 2472and 2474 which are similar in construction to the dual sickle horizontalcutter 2400 of FIG. 71 except that the outer dual sickle arrangement2474 is a mirror image of the inner unit or arrangement 2472 and trailsthe inner unit 2472. Also, the disk or rollers 2442 and 2444 of lowerhorizontal sickle 2404 of unit 2400 of FIG. 71 have been replaced withforwardly and downwardly angling aprons or bumpers 2476 and 2478 adaptedfor vineyards where each plant is supported by, for example, metal orwooden stakes. The metal bumpers or guards 2476 and 2478 contact thestakes, posts, vine trunks, or the like and cause the elongate lowerhorizontal sickles to trip rearwardly without damaging the cutting teeththereof. The double or dual unit horizontal cutter 2470 of FIG. 73 isparticularly adapted for use with the Minimal pruned, high-wire,bi-lateral cordon, Smart-Dyson Ballerina (and other like trellisingsystems) can serve to trim or prune both sides of a row along a singlepass down the row. In contrast, the horizontal cutters 2400 and 2460 ofFIGS. 71 and 72 are adapted to trim or prune half of a row with eachpass of the tractor down the row.

[0294] The support structure for each of the inner and outer dual sicklehorizontal cutters 2472 and 2474 of dual unit cutter 2470 differ fromthe vertical support structure of units 2400 and 2460 of FIGS. 71 and 72in that they allow not only for vertical height adjustment, but also forautomatic horizontal distance adjustment between the inner and outerunits and allow the entire inner and outer cutters 2472 and 2474 to triprearwardly. More particularly, inner cutter 2472 includes upper andlower horizontal sickles 2480 and 2482 operatively attached to a base2484 on a vertical member 2486. Vertical member 2486 is attached to asupport assembly 2488 at the lower end of a vertical support member2490. The upper end of vertical support member 2490 is adjustablyreceived in a collar or bracket 2492 which is pivotally attached to ahorizontal member 2494. A spring 2496 has one end attached to collar orbracket 2492 and the other end attached to a member extending forwardlyfrom horizontal member 2494. Hence, spring 2496 allows the collar orbracket 2492, vertical member 2490, and entire inner cutter 2472 to triprearwardly and upwardly should the inner cutter 2472 contact animmovable or uncuttable object. Also, lower horizontal sickle 2482 ofinner cutter 2472 can trip rearwardly about a vertical axis shouldbumper or guard 2476 contact an immovable or uncuttable object.

[0295] Likewise, outer cutter 2474 includes an upper horizontal sickle2498 and a lower horizontal sickle 2500 operatively, attached to a base2502 on the lower end of a support member 2504. The member 2504 isattached to a support assembly 2506 which is attached to the lower endof a vertical support member 2508. The upper end of member 2508 isreceived in a bracket or collar 2510 pivotally attached to a horizontalmember 2512. A spring 2514 has one end attached to bracket or collar2510 and the other end attached to a member extending forwardly ofhorizontal member 2512. Spring 2514 allows support member 2508 and outercutter 2474 to trip rearwardly and upwardly.

[0296] Also, at least lower horizontal sickle 2500 trips rearwardlyabout a vertical axis should guard or bumper 2478 contact an immovableor uncuttable object.

[0297] Dual unit horizontal cutter 2470 includes a support platform 2516releasably attached to a horizontal mast member 2518 and supportingfirst and second horizontal members 2520 and 2522, hydraulic control andvalve structure 2524, and one end of first and second hydrauliccylinders 2526 and 2528. Support member 2494 of inner cutter 2472 istelescopically received in and supported by first member 2520 whilesupport member 2512 of outer cutter 2474 is telescopically received inand supported by second member 2522. Valve structure 2524 includescontrol valves for selectively applying hydraulic fluid to each of thehydraulic cylinders 2526 and 2528 to selectively extend or retract thepistons and shafts thereof to achieve the desired distance between thesupport members 2490 and 2508 and inner and outer cutters 2472 and 2474.Hence, cylinders 2526 and 2528 can be used to spread the inner and outercutters apart or bring them together as desired. For example, in orderto start the dual unit horizontal cutter 2470 at the end of a row, onemay extend the shafts of the cylinders 2526 and 2528 to space the innerand outer cutters 2472 and 2474 as far apart as possible to accommodateconventional catch and cordon wire anchoring posts, or the like. Oncethe cutter 2470 has moved beyond the anchoring posts, the operator canretract the shafts of the cylinders 2526 and 2528 to bring the inner andouter cutters 2472 and 2474 back to the position shown in FIG. 3 fortrimming and pruning along the row.

[0298] With reference again to FIGS. 71-73 of the drawings and referenceto stage chart II of FIG. 87, although the trimmers and pruners 2400,2460, and 2470 are usually used for trimming or pruning prior toharvest, they can also be used for dormant pruning and to remove excessbuds or fruit to reduce fruit load after set and shatter. For example,for grapes having drooping growth habits, shoots or canes extendingdownwardly from a cross arm may be trimmed to a selected length toprovide a particular fruit load by raising the trimmers or pruners to aheight just a few inches underneath the cross arm.

[0299] As shown in FIG. 74 of the drawings and in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention, a tilting mast 2540 isshown to include an expanding vertical section 2542 and an extendinghorizontal section 2544 substantially identical in construction to themasts shown, for example, in FIGS. 64-66, and 69 of the drawings. Thetilting mast 2540 of FIG. 74 differs from the other masts in that thevertical section 2542 can tilt relative to the supporting tractor orvehicle. Tilting mast 2540 includes a lower support structure 2546attached to the forward end of the tractor or vehicle and serving topivotally support a lower end 2548 of vertical mast section 2542 about ahorizontal axis of a bolt or pin 2550. Support structure 2546 includes alower horizontal member 2552 which provides for attachment of one end ofa cylinder 2554 thereto. A shaft 2556 extending from cylinder 2554 isattached by a bolt or pin 2558 to lower end 2548 of vertical section2542. Support structure 2546 also includes an upper member 2560 whichsupports a yolk 2562 which limits tilting movement of vertical member2542. As shown in phantom lines, the mast is tilted to the left byextension of the shaft 2556 from cylinder 2554. Likewise, the mast maybe tilted to the right by retracting shaft 2556 in cylinder 2554.Although the mast 2540 may be tilted from 0 to 30 degrees in eitherdirection, it is preferred to have mast only tilt through 0 to 12degrees in either direction from vertical to ensure stability of theequipment and tractor or vehicle. Extension and retraction of shaft 2556from cylinder 2554 and resultant tilting of mast 2540 is controlled bythe vehicle operator by, for example, controlling hydraulic fluid to andfrom the cylinder 2554.

[0300] The angularly adjustable mast 2540 of FIG. 74 is adapted for useon hillsides or sloping vineyards and may also be used on a relativelyflat vineyard to tilt equipment such as thinning, pruning, or trimmingdevices, units, or the like to accommodate particular trellising systemsor growth habits. As an example, mast 2540 can be used to tilt equipmentrelative to the angled arms of a GDC or Y-trellis.

[0301] With reference to FIG. 75 of the drawings, a basic Geneva DoubleCurtain (GDC) training system is shown to include cordon wire supportsA, cordon wires B, cordons C, pruning canes D, renewal spurs E, andposts F spaced at 24 feet.

[0302] As shown in FIGS. 76 and 77 of the drawings, and in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention, a modified verticalcatch wire trellis or modified Lyre or “U” system adapted for completeor total mechanization of vineyard cultivation, especially in anestablished vineyard, is generally designated 2590 and shown to includefirst and second cross arms 2592 and 2594 which pivot respectively aboutbolts 2596 and 2598 extending through brackets 2600 and 2602 on a collar2604 adjustably attached to a post 2606. The cross arms flex or pivotabout bolts 2596 and 2598 to allow for harvest mechanization. Tubularcross arm extensions 2608 and 2610 are adjustably received on each ofthe cross arms 2592 and 2594 using respective pins 2612 and 2614received in corresponding openings through the extensions and crossarms.

[0303] Further, each of the cross arms 2592 and 2594 support movable andpivoting tubular stakes 2616 and 2618 extending upwardly from U-membersor yokes 2620 and 2622 and pivotally attached thereto by respectivebolts 2624 and 2626. Each of the yokes 2620 and 2622 are releasably andpivotally attached to the respective cross arms 2592 and 2594 by pins2628 and 2630 received in corresponding circular openings through theyokes and cross arms. The use of pins for releasably attaching the crossarm extensions 2608 and 2610 and movable stakes 2616 and 2618 to crossarms 2592 and 2594 increase the versatility and adjustability of themodified trellis 2590. As shown, each of the cross arms include aplurality of openings which allow for adjustment in the positioning ofthe cross arm extensions and movable stakes.

[0304] In accordance with a particular example of the present invention,it is preferred to form the tubular members including the cross armextensions 2608 and 2610 and movable stakes 2616 and 2618 of metal pipeor conduit such as 1{fraction (1/2)} to 2{fraction (1/2)} inch outerdiameter steel tubing and to form the other metal components of sturdymetal material such as steel or cast aluminum.

[0305] With reference to FIGS. 78 and 79 of the drawings and inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a modifiedvertical catch wire system or a modified Lyre or “U” trellis havingfixed cross arms is generally designated 2650 and shown to includeelongate tubular cross arms 2652 and 2654 each including horizontalsections, upwardly angling sections, and vertical sections. Each of thehorizontal sections of the cross arms 2652 and 2654 include a pluralityof circular openings adapted to receive respective bolts 2656 and 2658and pins 2660 and 2662. One end of each of the cross arms 2652 and 2654is supported in a tubular member 2664 attached to a collar releasablyattached to a post 2668. The modified trellis 2650 includes tubularmovable stakes 2670 and 2672 pivotally attached to respective yokes 2674and 2676 by respective bolts 2678 and 2680. The movable stakes 2670 and2672 allow for rapid adjustment of catch wires following mechanicalfruit thinning and allow for the stakes to be laid down to facilitatemechanical harvesting.

[0306] The modified trellis 2650 of FIGS. 78 and 79 as well as thetraditional Lyre or “U” system is not flexible and requires a modifiedharvesting system such as an adaptation of a harvester built by G.DeGolier with twin harvesting heads and a catching system tomechanically harvest both sides of the Lyre or “U” in one pass. Such amodified harvesting machine contains two sets of beaters mounted side byside as shown in FIG. 83.

[0307] With reference to FIG. 80 of the drawings and in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention, a modified Lyre or “U”trellis adapted for total or complete mechanization is generallydesignated 2700 and shown to include a modified U tubular member 2702attached to the upper end of a vertical tubular member 2704 by a supportbracket 2706. Cordons 2708 and 2710 are shown to be locatedapproximately 10 inches above a cross bar 2712 of the U member 2702.This allows sufficient space for the operation of all mechanizationequipment including shoot and fruit thinner, leaf remover, harvester,and the like. Vertically extending arms 2714 and 2716 of U member 2702extend upwardly an additional 12 to 36 inches, preferably 24 inches,above a conventional Lyre or “U” trellis.

[0308] As shown in FIGS. 81 and 82 of the drawings, and in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention, a modified verticalcatch wire anchoring and trellis system is shown to include a modifiedguide wire anchoring support unit 2730 adapted to be used at each end ofa row having a plurality of modified vertical catch wire system ormodified Lyre or “U” trellises 2732. The modified guide wire anchoringsupport unit 2730 and modified vertical catch wire trellises 2732 allowmechanization equipment to enter the end of the row and facilitate totalor partial mechanization of the vineyard. The trellis 2732 is similar inconstruction to the trellis 2700 of FIG. 80 and includes a modifiedtubular U member attached to the upper end of a post 2736 by a bracketor support 2738.

[0309] The guide wire anchoring support unit 2730 includes a tubular Umember having vertical members 2742 and 2744 extending upwardly from ahorizontal cross member 2746. Cross member 2746 is attached to the topof a first vertical tubular member 2748 attached to a second verticaltubular member 2750 by upper and lower cross braces 2752 and 2754. Theends of cross bar 2746 are additionally supported by brace members 2756and 2758, each having one end attached to the cross bar 2746 and theother end attached to vertical member 2750. An elongate U-shaped channelmember 2760 is attached to the lower end of each of vertical members2748 and 2750 and adapted to be buried 12-24 inches below the vineyardfloor. Respective cordon wire attachment studs 2762 and 2764 extend fromvertical members 2742 and 2744. Also, a plurality of chain hooks orcatches 2766 extend outwardly from vertical members 2742 and 2744 inspaced pairs to serve as anchors for chains 2778 on the end of therespective catch wires. Also, chain racks 2768 and 2770 are attached tocross bar 2746 for storage of chains, cables, or the like. Ends ofrespective support wires 2772 and 2774 are tied around the corners ofthe U member 2740 and under respective cross braces 2756 and 2758 toprevent upward movement thereof. Similarly, central guide wire 2776 istied around the upper-end of vertical member 2748 just below cross bar2746 and above cross member 2752.

[0310] By burying cross member 2760 below ground and forming the entireanchoring support unit of sturdy rigid materials such as 3 inch outerdiameter, ¼ to {fraction (1/2)} inch thick steel pipe and welding allconnections, guide wire support unit 2730 provides sufficient supportfor anchoring the cordon, guide, and catch wires at each end of a row.The studs 2762 and chains 2778 allow the cordon wires and guide wires orcatch wires to either be released or loosened prior to mechanicalharvesting and thereby reduce possible damage to the wires, trellises,anchors, harvesting equipment, and the like.

[0311] With reference again to FIGS. 76-81 of the drawings, and inaccordance with a particular example of the present invention, it iscontemplated that the trellises developed for a total or complete orimproved mechanization of the vineyard have a cross bar at approximately42 inches from the vineyard floor, a cordon located about 10 inchesabove the cross bar, a first guide or support wire catch located about14 inches above the cordon, and a second higher support or guide wirecatch located 14 inches above the first catch. Thus, each of thetrellises 2590, 2650, 2700, and 2732 has an overall height of at leastabout 80 inches or more. Note that the trellises 2700 and 2732 of FIGS.80 and 81 have a third support or guide wire catch located an additional14 inches above the second support or guide wire catch and thus have anoverall height of at least about 94 inches.

[0312] In accordance with another example of the present invention, thetrellis 2700 of FIG. 80 is made from 1{fraction (1/2)} inch outerdiameter by {fraction (3/16)} inch circular metal tubing, has an overallheight of about 84 inches, an overall width of about 60 inches, a lowercentral post extending about 32 inches above the vineyard floor, about14 inches from the top of the post to the cordon, about another 10inches from the cordon to the first catch wire clip, about 12 additionalinches from the first catch wire clip to the second catch wire clip, andabout 14 inches from the second catch wire clip to the third or top wireclip. This system provides at least 32 inches of clearance between thevineyard floor and the cross bar, about 14 inches of fruit zone belowthe cordon, and about 38 inches from the cordon up to the top wire.

[0313] With reference to FIG. 83 of the drawings, a modified full-rowgrape harvesting machine or harvester adapted for use with the modifiedLyre or “U” trellis of FIGS. 80 and 81 is generally designated 2800 andshown to include two picking heads 2802 and 2804, a conveyor belt 2806and 2808 under each picking head, and cross conveyors 2810 and 2812 inback of the harvester which receive the grapes from conveyors 2806 and2808. Each of the picking heads or harvester units 2802 and 2804 aresupported from a harvester chassis or over-the-row tractor 2814.

[0314] The harvester 2800 is adapted for over-the-row or full rowharvesting and further includes respective aprons 2816 and 2818 and fishscales or pivoting catch plates 2820 and 2822 which run the length ofthe conveyors 2806 and 2808 and facilitate the movement of grapes andgrape bunches from the picking heads to the conveyors. Although theaprons 2816 and 2818 are fixed, the fish scales 2820 and 2822 arespring-biased and pivot rearwardly to allow the harvester 2800 to passby a trellis 2700.

[0315] The picking heads may be similar to the harvesting heads of theG. DeGolier harvester or similar in construction to the thinning headsof FIGS. 53 and 54 of the drawings. Further, each of the picking headsincludes opposing sets of beaters, strikers, bow heads, rods, or thelike 2824 which are shown angled downwardly and offset relative one tothe other. Also, the beaters, strikers, bow heads, rods, or the likeadjacent the cordon may be eliminated or shortened to prevent damage tothe cordon.

[0316] In accordance with the present invention, it is contemplated thatthe picking heads 2802 and 2804 of the harvester 2800 may be tilted withrespect to the vertical and as such accommodate a Y or GDC system. Alsoin accordance with another aspect of the present invention, it iscontemplated that the picking heads 2802 and 2804 of harvester 2800 inFIG. 83 and picking heads 3002 and 3004 of harvester 3000 in FIG. 85 maybe supported in a fashion allowing for hydraulic head adjustment toraise, lower, and/or tilt the picking heads to accommodate, for example,angled uprights, or a wide range of trellising systems.

[0317] Also, in accordance with the present invention it is to beunderstood that the harvester 2800 may include forward and rearward setsof picking heads on each side thereof for harvesting grape varietieswhich are difficult to harvest. Also, the harvester 2800 may includediffering types of picking heads (FIG. 85) and may have the innerbeaters, strikers, and the like removed to accommodate the harvesting ofgrapes on particular training or trellising systems.

[0318] With reference to FIGS. 84, 84A, and 84B of the drawings and inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a modifiedhalf-row, floating, at least vertically shaking, rotating head pickermechanical harvester 2840 is adapted for use with a Lyre or “U” trellis2842 modified to include movable cordon wire support, roller, or slideassemblies 2844 for each cordon wire. The harvester 2840 includes aharvesting unit 2846 mounted on one side of a tractor 2848 and is amodified version of the early Cornell concept for harvesting a modifiedGDC trellis with a single, reciprocating, vertical spiked-wheel. TheGeneva Double Curtain (GDC) was a trellising system designedspecifically for mechanical harvest employing over-the-row machinesfitted with vertical-shaking head pickers as described, for example, inShaulis, N., E. S. Shepardson, and J. C. Moyer. Grape HarvestingResearch at Cornell, N.Y. State Hortic. Soc. Proc., Proc. 105th Meeting,January (1960) and Shaulis, N., E. S. Shepardson, and T. D. Kordan. TheGeneva Double Curtain. Bull. 811 N.Y. State Agric. Exp. Sta., Geneva,Cornell Univ. (1967). An early over-the-row harvester equipped withvertical-shaking heads was manufactured in the U.S. by Chisholm-Ryder,and an Italian version was built and extensively tested. One difficultywith the Cornell/Chisholm-Ryder system was keeping the spike-wheelpicking heads concurrently aligned along the cordons. The end result wasthat the early Cornell and Chisholm-Ryder machines never saw extensivecommercial production.

[0319] The half-row harvester 2840 of FIGS. 84, 84A, and 84B is shown inuse with a modified trellis 2842 which incorporates the movable cordonwire support assemblies 2844 which address the problem of picking headalignment along the cordons. The harvester 2840 and, more particularly,the harvester unit 2846 includes a rigid support structure 2850 which isattached to the tractor 2848, at least one spiked-wheel picking head2852 including a center tumbler 2854, and a plurality of radiallyextending spikes 2856 attached thereto. The head 2852 floats or restsupon a vertical shaft and idles or rotates should the spikes contact anobject, vine, trellis, or the like. The picking head 2852 is supportedand driven from underneath by a member 2858 extending upwardly from asupport structure 2860. The harvester unit 2846 includes a collectingconveyor 2862, a cross conveyor 2864, aprons 2866 and 2868, and fishscales or pivoting catch plates 2870 supported from a frame 2872.

[0320] Still further, the harvester unit 2846 includes an upper awningand a vertically-depending flexible curtain 2876 which directs anygrapes or grape bunches downwardly toward collecting conveyor 2862 alongwith fish scales 2870 and aprons 2866 and 2868. The vertically-shakingpicking head 2852 shakes the cordon 2878 and cordon wire 2880 at leastvertically and thereby causes grapes or grape bunches to fall from thevine and onto the conveyor 2862 where they are fed to cross conveyor2864 into a single collection system. The fish scales 2870 pivot atleast rearwardly and the curtain 2876 is flexible, for example, havingelongate vertical cuts or slits therein allowing portions to flex up andover the vine or trellis and allow the harvester to travel along the rowwhile directing as many of the grapes as possible toward the collectionconveyor 2862.

[0321] By incorporating the movable cordon wire support assemblies 2844and by relaxing the catch wires, loosening the cordon wires, and takingtension out of the cordons and trunks before harvesting, the spikes 2856of the picking head 2852 remain in proper position underneath the cordonand the cordon wire stays in position to shake the cordon and harvestthe grapes while preventing damage to the catch wires, cordon wire,cordon, and trunk of the vine. In accordance with the preferredembodiment, the trunk leading to the cordon has a bend and flexibilityof at least 10 inches.

[0322] With particular reference to FIGS. 84A and 84B of the drawings,the movable cordon wire support, roller, or slide assembly 2844 isattached to the interior or exterior of each vertical member 2882extending upwardly from a cross bar 2884 of the trellis 2842. Typically,conventional Lyre or “U” trellis systems have the cordon wire locatedinside the trellis, and as such the movable cordon wire support assembly2844 is mounted as shown in solid lines in FIG. 84A. In new vineyards,it would be preferred to add the movable cordon wire support assembly2844 on the exterior of the trellis to facilitate mechanization of thevineyard.

[0323] Each movable cordon wire support assembly 2844 includes upper andlower horizontal plates 2886 and 2888 attached to the ends of a verticalchannel member 2890 and having respective circular openings near theirfree end for receiving an elongate bolt 2892 having a head 2894 and athreaded lower end 2896 adapted to receive a nut 2898. The shaft of thebolt 2892 and one edge of the channel member 2890 form an elongatechannel adapted to receive a grooved roller, wheel, slide, or the like2900 having a central circular through hole 2902 adapted to receive thecordon wire 2880 therethrough. The roller or wheel 2900 may also includean elongate radial slot 2904 which extends to opening 2902 to allow anexisting cordon wire to be inserted through the slot and into theopening 2902. The slot 2904 is thereafter filled with a plug 2906 whichis welded in place to prevent the cordon wire 2880 from coming out ofopening 2902 in roller 2900.

[0324] It is preferred that the plates, channel member, and bolt beformed of sturdy rigid metal materials while the roller or wheel 2900 beformed of a synthetic resin or plastic material which can be eitherself-lubricating or lubricated to easily slide up and down along channelmember 2890 and bolt 2892. Additionally, end stops 2908 and 2910 can beadded to the interior of plates 2886 and 2888 to limit movement ofroller or wheel 2900. It is preferred that the channel member 2890 beattached to vertical trellis member 2882 by welding, but it isunderstood that other means of attachment such as screws or rivets maybe used. If roller 2900 becomes overly worn or broken, it may bereplaced by removing bolt 2892 and inserting a new roller.

[0325] With respect to FIG. 84C of the drawings, and in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention, a modified guide wireanchoring support unit 2920 and modified trellis 2922 including movablecordon wire support assemblies 2940 has substantial structuralsimilarity to that of guide wire anchoring support unit 2730 and trellis2732 of FIG. 81 except that the trellis 2922 and anchoring unit 2920 areadapted to easily relax, loosen, or release tension on the guide wiresand cordon wires to facilitate mechanical harvesting using, for example,the mechanical harvester of FIG. 84 or 85. More particularly, a verticalsupport member 2924 has been extended and includes a chain catch or hook2926 and chain catch or hooks 2928 and 2930 have been added to the backside of each of vertical trellis members 2932 and 2934 to provide forthe use of chains on the end of respective cordon wires 2936 and guidewires 2938.

[0326] Trellis 2922 has been modified to include a more rectangular Umember, movable cordon wire support assemblies 2940, and a guide wirebracket 2942 atop a post 2944. The guide wire anchoring support unit2920 facilitates the use of mechanization equipment while the chainhooks or catches thereon facilitate the loosening, relaxing, andreleasing the tension from the catch wires, cordon wire, trunk, andcordons to provide, for example, at least 10 inches of flexibility inthe bend of the trunk as it leads to the cordon.

[0327] Although the vine and cordons shown in FIGS. 84B and 84C areshown in a Y-type of cordon configuration, it is to be understood that acordon which runs in only a single direction along a cordon wire may beused in combination with the movable cordon wire support assembly 2844.

[0328] With reference to FIG. 84D of the drawings and in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention, the half-row harvester 2840of FIG. 84 or the full-row harvester of FIG. 85 may include one or morefloating, shaking, rotating picking heads 2950 which not only shakevertically under the influence of a motor 2952 and drive arrangement2954, but also shake or articulate in a horizontal direction under theinfluence of a motor 2956 and drive arrangement 2958. Picking head 2950includes a central tumbler 2960 which supports a plurality of spikes2962 and has a central opening 2964 which accommodates a small diameterupper support shaft 2966 and a large diameter lower support shaft 2968which telescopically receives the lower end of upper shaft 2966. Pickinghead 2950 is free to rotate about shafts 2966 and 2968 under theinfluence of spikes 2962 contacting objects as the picking head is movedalong the cordon.

[0329] Lower shaft 2968 is pivotally connected to a support yoke 2970 bya bolt or pin 2972. The upper end of shaft 2966 is attached to apivoting link 2974 by a bolt 2976 which passes through link 2978, link2974, and shaft 2966. Link 2974 is pivotally attached to an upper arm2980 of yoke 2970 by a pin 2982. Yoke 2970 is attached to a sleeve 2984which rides up and down on a fixed vertical member 2986 attached to thesupport structure 2988. Motor 2952 is attached to upper end of verticalmember 2986 and has a projecting drive shaft to which is attached adrive disk 2990 having attached thereto a drive link 2992. The other endof the drive link 2992 is attached to a plate 2994 on sleeve 2984.Activation of the motor 2952 and rotation of its drive shaft causesresulted rotation of disk 2990, reciprocation of link 2992,reciprocation of sleeve 2984, reciprocation of yoke 2970, and verticalreciprocation of pick head 2950.

[0330] Similarly, motor 2956 has a drive shaft to which is attached adrive disk or member 2996. Rotation or activation of the motor 2956causes rotation of disk 2996, reciprocation of link 2978, reciprocationof link 2974, and resultant translational movement of at least the upperend of pick head 2950. Hence, pick head 2950 not only shakes verticallybut also horizontally and, as such, increases the amount of grapesremoved from the vine during harvesting or facilitates grape removal,thereby allowing the harvester to operate at a greater land speed. Also,it is contemplated that a plurality of such picking heads may be usedfor harvesting grape varieties which are difficult to harvest.

[0331] With reference again to FIG. 85 of the drawings, and inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention, anover-the-row, full-row modified spike-wheel picking head harvester 3000is shown to include at least first and second picking heads 3002 and3004 supported within a harvester chassis, over-the-row tractor ormodified high clearance-type four-wheel tractor 3006. The harvester 3000is adapted for harvesting a modified Lyre or “U” trellis 3008 havingmovable cordon wire support assemblies 3010 and 3012 which allow thecordons and cordon wires to move vertically under the influence of theshaking picking heads 3002 and 3004.

[0332] Further, the harvester 3000 includes respective catch conveyors3014 and 3016, aprons 3018 and 3020, fish scales or catch plates 3022and 3024, and cross conveyors 3026 and 3028. Fish scales 3022 and 3024are spring-biased and, as such, pivot backwardly and out of the way ofthe trellis 3008 as the harvester runs down along the row. The fishscales and aprons tend to direct all the grapes or grape bunches thatare removed to the catch conveyors 3014 and 3016. As described abovewith respect to FIG. 84, the picking heads 3002 and 3004 arefree-floating or idling, at least vertically shaking, rotating pickingheads having a plurality of spikes emanating from a central tumbler.

[0333] It is contemplated that the picking heads 3002 and 3004 ofharvester 3000 may be the picking heads 2950 of FIG. 84D which shake notonly vertically but also horizontally. Also, the harvester 3000 mayinclude four or more picking heads, front and rear sets, for harvestingdifficult varieties. Also, prior to harvest, the catch wires should berelaxed, the vertical wires should be loosened, and if necessary thetension should be slightly relaxed out of the cordon wires to allow thetrunk bend to flex at least about 10 inches during harvest. Movablecordon wire support assemblies 3010 and 3012 are identical inconstruction to that of the movable cordon wire support assembly 2844.

[0334] With respect to FIGS. 86-97 of the drawings and seasonal chartsI-XII which provide exemplary embodiments of vineyard mechanizationsystems or methods, it is to be understood that when reference is madeto a particular figure number in the charts, it is to be understood thatreference is being made to an exemplary machine, device, implement,harvester, thinner, pruner, trimmer, comber, unit, or the like, and thatother devices which provide a similar result may be used. Also, it iscontemplated that partial mechanization system and methods can begleaned from the charts I-XII and Examples I-XII to follow by merelyeliminating one or more steps from the system or method. TABLE 1 WORLDGRAPE PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY, AVERAGES OF 1989-91 (FAO PRODUCTIONYEARBOOK, UN. VOL. 45). AREA PRODUCTION PRODUCTION COUNTRY (1000 HA)(1000 MT) (MT Per Hectar) Afghanistan 52 365 7.0 Argentina 268 2523 9.0Australia 57 896 15.7 Austria 54 398 7.4 Brazil 58 707 12.2 Chili 1151113 9.7 Czechoslovakia 35 195 5.6 France 943 7476 7.9 Germany 96 136514.2 Greece 155 1304 8.4 Hungary 139 769 5.5 Iran 220 1391 6.3 Italy 9999039 9.0 Japan 27 283 10.5 Mexico 44 462 10.2 Morocco 48 218 4.5Purtugal 375 1397 3.7 Romania 221 893 4.0 South Africa 150 1463 9.7Spain 1460 5531 3.8 Syria 114 435 3.8 Turkey 592 3510 5.9 USA 300 515317.2 USSR 885 5328 6.0 Yugoslavia 225 1077 4.8

[0335] TABLE 2 EFFECT OF TRAINING SYSTEM AND MECHANICAL PRUNINGTREATMENTS AFTER SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF CONCORDGRAPES. Yield Soluble Green (MT/ha) solids fruit Acidity as ColorTreatment (%) (%) (%) pH tartaric (abs. at 520 nm) GDC 30 + 10 15.7a15.2a  3.0ab^(z) 3.79d 0.72d 0.343ab Mech./adj. best 60 nodes 15.9a 15.1 2.3a 3.68cd 0.78bcd 0.291bc Mech./adj. best 90 nodes  8.1b 13.8b 9.1abc 3.61cd 0.82abcd 0.281cd Mech./no touch-up  8.6b 13.3bc 12.6b3.45abc 0.86abc 0.199ef SC 30 + 10 10.1ab 15.0a  4.0ab 3.60bcd 0.80abcd0.320abc Mech./adj. best 69 nodes 12.4a 15.7a  4.1ab 3.48abc 0.76cd0.364a Mech./adj. best 90 nodes  9.9ab 13.6b  8.8abc 3.41ab 0.90a0.230de Mech./no touch-up  6.5b 12.0c 11.4bc 3.35a 0.88ab 0.167f

[0336] TABLE 3 EFFECT OF TRAINING SYSTEM AND MECHANICAL PRUNINGTREATMENTS ON SENSORY QUALITY OF CONCORD JUICE ON THE SIXTH AND FINALYEAR OF THE STUDY. Color^(z) Intensity Acceptability Flavor GDC 30 + 107.8 a 6.0 ab 5.6 cd Mech./adj. best 60 nodes 7.1 ab 7.0 a 6.6 bcMech./adj. best 90 nodes 6.9 ab 6.3 ab 4.8 de Mech./no touch-up 4.4 c4.9 b 4.0 e SC 30 + 10 7.7 a 7.9 a 7.6 ab Mech./adj. best 60 nodes 7.3ab 6.9 ab 8.3 a Mech./adj. best 90 nodes 5.7 bc 5.9 ab 5.8 cd Mech./notouch-up 2.7 d 2.8 c 4.0 e

[0337] TABLE 4 THE MAIN EFFECTS OF SHOOT POSITIONING AND PRUNINGTREATMENTS ON THE FIFTH YEAR (A COOL WET YEAR^(w)) YIELD AND QUALITY OF‘CONCORD’ GRAPES (1986). Soluble Tartaric Main Yield solids acidAbsorbance Effects (MT/ha) % pH % 520 nm Shoot Positioning Hand42.1a^(x) 16.1a 3.64c 0.83a 0.28ab Machine 43.7a 16.1a 3.65c 0.85a0.333ab Centers broken only 37.7b 16.4a 3.72b 0.83a 0.350a None 33.3c16.1a 3.78a 0.81a 0.319ab Pruning Treatment 30 + 10 35.0d 16.6ab 3.78a0.81a 0.333ab 50 + 10 40.0c 16.5ab 3.68b 0.83a 0.337ab Mech./adj. best60 30.6d 17.1a 3.77a 0.84a 0.391a nodes Mech./adj. best 80 34.7d 16.3ab3.76a 0.84a 0.332ab nodes Mech./+fruit 41.7bc 15.9b 3.64bc 0.82a 0.305bcremoval^(y) Mech./30 + 20 alt. 45/1ab 16.0b 3.70ab 0.81a 0.302bcyears^(z) Mech./no touch-up 47.3a 15.0c 3.60c 0.83a 0.256c

[0338] TABLE 5 EFFECTS OF SHOOT POSITIONING AND PRUNING TREATMENTS ONTHE TENTH YEAR (A HOT DRY YEAR^(w)) OF THE STUDY ON QUALITY OF CONCORDGRAPES (1991). Soluble Main Yield solids Acidity Color Effects (MT/ha) %pH (% tartaric) 520 nm Shoot Positioning Hand 38.6ab^(x) 14.0bc 3.34b0.85a 0.106b Machine 39.8a 13.6c 3.38ab 0.85a 0.101b Centers broken only36.3bc 14.5ab 3.43a 0.84a 0.135a None 34.9c 14.6a 3.39ab 0.84a 0.139aPruning Treatment 30 + 10 36.2ab 14.4a 3.34b 0.85a 0.112ab 50 + 1037.7ab 14.2a 3.34b 0.84a 0.117ab Mech./adj. best 60 34.3d 14.2a 3.40ab0.84a 0.128a nodes Mech./adj. best 80 35.9ab 14.6a 3.46a 0.82a 0.146anodes Mech./+fruit 37.6ab 14.4a 3.39ab 0.86a 0.127a removal^(y)Mech./30 + 10 39.9a 14.0ab 3.34b 0.85a 0.121ab alt. years^(z) Mech./notouch-up 40.0a 13.4b 3.37b 0.83a 0.090b

[0339] TABLE 6 Shoot removal data from three cultivars* Cultivar ShootsShoots Percent Vine # Removed Left Removed Cayuga White 1 17 62 21 2 2437 39 3 23 29 44 4 8 44 15 5 8 27 23 6 20 65 24 Seyval blanc 1 24 51 322 31 44 41 3 36 62 37 4 25 71 26 5 22 48 31 Vignoles 1 57 78 42 2 63 6151 3 70 58 55

[0340] TABLE 7 Machine calibration data for Table 6. Plate Speed GroundBrush* Revolutions/ Speed Strokes/ Cultivar Sec Min MPH RPM Ft. M CuyugaWhite 0.57  34.2 1.4 2.25 2.2 7.2 Seyval blanc 0.71  42.6 1.4 2.25 2.89.2 Vignoles 1.85 111.0 1.4 2.25 8.0 26.2

LITERATURE CITED

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[0342] 2. Cawthon, D. L. and J. R. Morris. 1977. Yield and quality of‘Concord’ grapes as affected by pruning severity, nodes per bearingunit, training system, shoot positioning, and sampling date in Arkansas.J. Amer. Soc. Hortic. Sci. 102:760-67.

[0343] 3. Christensen, L. P., A. N. Kasimatis, J. J. Kissler, F. Jensen,and D. A. Luisi. 1973. Mechanical harvesting of grapes for the winery.Calif. Agr. Ext. Bul. AXT-403.

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[0346] 6. Davidson, D. 1991. Pride and tradition in hand pruning, butmechanization here to stay. Aust. Grapegrower and Winemaker. 330:32-34.

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[0355] 15. Intrieri, C. and B. Marangoni. 1980. The alternate “up-down”mechanical pruning system: Experiments on vines GDC trained (V viniferacv. Montuni), P.266-269. In: UCD Grape and Wine Centennial SymposiumProc., Univ. Calif., Davis.

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[0386] The following are examples of the Morris-Oldridge vineyardmechanization systems or processes in accordance with the presentinvention.

EXAMPLE I

[0387] Mechanization Activities of Vitis labruscana Grapes (and OtherGrapes with Drooping Growth Habits) Trained on Single Curtain TrellisSystems:

[0388] Step 1. Dormant Pruning

[0389] Mechanical prune during the dormant season using the mechanicalpruner shown in FIGS. 44-47.

[0390] Step 2. Shoot Adjustment

[0391] Use modified mechanical pruner (remove brushes) shown in FIGS.42-47 for touch up pruning and shoot thinner shown in FIGS. 53-55, ifneeded, to thin shoots when they are 2 to 3″ (5-7.5 cm).

[0392] Step 3. Shoot Positioning and Fruit Adjustment

[0393] At 10% bloom, use mechanical shoot positioner shown in FIG. 41.In accordance with the research conducted by Dr. Robert Pool of CornellUniversity, approximately 25-30 days post bloom, excess fruit may beremoved with the thinning unit shown in FIGS. 53-55 (amount and timingis dependent on cultivar, fruit set, crop load, vine size and vigor). Todetermine the amount of fruit load to retain, it is critical to maintainadequate soil moisture, to optimize fertilization, to control pests andto optimize other critical production factors. Also, in regions withshort growing seasons, the number of days after harvest and before frostbecome a consideration for determining fruit load.

[0394] Step 4. Harvesting

[0395] Use an approved commercial harvester such as a harvester equippedwith Quad-rods or bow-rods to remove difficult-to-harvest fruit. Thisharvesting approach allows for excellent fruit removal and does minimaldamage to foliage. A harvester should allow for vines to maintainmaximum foliage that is capable of carrying out needed photosynthesisand storage of carbohydrates in the vines until frost and/or leaf drop.

EXAMPLE II

[0396] Mechanization Activities of Vitis labruscana Grapes (and OtherGrapes with Drooping Growth Habits) Trained on GDC Trellis and GDC-LikeCanopy Systems.

[0397] Step 1. Dormant Pruning

[0398] Use mechanical pruner in FIG. 43. Two of these units can bemounted under an over-the-row tractor (harvester)(FIG. 43A).

[0399] Step 2. Shoot Positioning

[0400] At 10% bloom, use mechanical shoot positioner in FIG. 42 toposition shoots. Two of these units can be mounted under an over-the-rowharvester, FIG. 42A.

[0401] Step 3. Fruit Adjustment

[0402] After berry set, remove excess fruit using units in FIGS. 71 and72 (with modifications for half rows). In accordance with the researchconducted by Dr. Robert Pool of Cornell University, approximately 25-30days post bloom, excess fruit may be removed using modifications tothinning unit shown in FIGS. 53-55 (amount and timing is dependent oncultivar, fruit set, crop load, vine size and vigor). To determine theamount of fruit load to retain, it is critical to maintain adequate soilmoisture, to optimize fertilization, to control pests and to optimizeother critical production factors. Also, in regions with short growingseasons, the number of days after harvest and before frost become aconsideration for determining fruit load.

[0403] Step 4. Breaking Centers

[0404] Break GDC centers as needed to allow air flow and sunlight intocanopy centers using units in FIGS. 48-51.

[0405] Step 5. Harvesting

[0406] Use an approved commercial harvester such as a harvester equippedwith Quad-rods or bow-rods to remove difficult-to-harvest fruit. Thisharvesting approach allows for excellent fruit removal and does minimaldamage to foliage. A harvester should allow for vines to maintainmaximum foliage that is capable of carrying out needed photosynthesisand storage of carbohydrates in the vines until frost and/or leaf drop.

EXAMPLE III

[0407] Mechanization of Minimal Pruned Vitis labruscana Grapes (andOther Grapes with Drooping Growth Habits) Trained on Single CurtainTrellis Systems:

[0408] Step 1. Shoot Thinning-1

[0409] Eliminate all new shoots, 2 to 3″ (5-7.5 cm), on canes and thecordons that are located on the top of the canopy. This can beaccomplished with modification of the unit shown in FIG. 50.

[0410] Step 2. Shoot Thinning-2

[0411] Use shoot thinners (if needed) to eliminate some of the excessivebuds when shoots are 2-3″ (5-7.5 cm) with units shown in FIGS. 53-55.

[0412] Step 3. Fruit Thinning

[0413] In accordance with the research conducted by Dr. Robert Pool ofCornell University, approximately 25-30 days post bloom, excess fruitmay be removed using thinning unit shown in FIGS. 53-55, (amount andtiming is dependent on cultivar, fruit set, crop load, vine size andvigor). To determine the amount of fruit load to retain, it is criticalto maintain adequate soil moisture, to optimize fertilization, tocontrol pests and to optimize other critical production factors. Also,in regions with short growing seasons, the number of days after harvestand before frost become a consideration in determining fruit load.

[0414] Step 4. Canopy Removal

[0415] In vigorous, older vineyards, remove the center top 12″ (30 cm)more or less, of the canopy foliage to allow for movement of air andlight into the center portion of the canopy.

[0416] Step 5. Minimal Pruning

[0417] Before harvest, trim all shoots to approximately 15″ (38 cm)above the vineyard floor using units shown in FIGS. 71 and 72.

[0418] Step 6. Harvesting

[0419] Use an approved commercial harvester such as a harvester equippedwith Quad-rods or bow-rods to remove difficult-to-harvest fruit. Thisharvesting approach allows for excellent fruit removal and does minimaldamage to foliage. A harvester should allow for vines to maintainmaximum foliage that is capable of carrying out needed photosynthesisand storage of carbohydrates in the vines until frost and/or leaf drop.

EXAMPLE IV

[0420] Mechanization Activities of Minimal Pruned Vitis labruscanaGrapes (and Other Grapes with Drooping Growth Habits) Trained on GDCTrellis Systems

[0421] Step 1. Shoot Thinning

[0422] Use shoot thinners (if needed) to eliminate some of the excessivebuds when shoots are 2-3″ (5-7.5 cm) with units shown in FIG. 18, andwith modifications to units shown in FIGS. 53-55.

[0423] Step 2. Fruit Adjustment

[0424] In accordance with the research conducted by Dr. Robert Pool ofCornell University, approximately 25-30 days post bloom, excess fruitmay be removed using modifications for half rows on the thinning unitshown in FIGS. 53-55 (amount and timing is dependent on cultivar, fruitset, crop load, vine size and vigor). To determine the amount of fruitload to retain, it is critical to maintain adequate soil moisture, tooptimize fertilization, to control pests and to optimize other criticalproduction factors. Also, in regions with short growing seasons, thenumber of days after harvest and before frost becomes a considerationfor determining fruit load.

[0425] Step 3. Minimal Pruning

[0426] At shatter, open centers with units in FIGS. 50 and 51. Beforeharvest, keep centers clean as needed with above units and includingunits shown in FIGS. 48 and 49 and trim all shoots to approximately 15″(38 cm) above the vineyard floor using units shown in FIGS. 71 and 72.

[0427] Step 4. Harvesting

[0428] Use an approved commercial harvester such as a harvester equippedwith Quad-rods or bow-rods to remove difficult-to-harvest fruit. Thisharvesting approach allows for excellent fruit removal and does minimaldamage to foliage. A harvester should allow for vines to maintainmaximum foliage that is capable of carrying out needed photosynthesisand storage of carbohydrates in the vines until frost and/or leaf drop.

EXAMPLE V

[0429] Mechanization of Vitis vinifera and French-American Hybrid GrapesProduced on High Wire Bi-Lateral Cordon (Single Cordon)

[0430] Step 1. Dormant Pruning

[0431] Mechanical prune during the dormant season using the mechanicalpruner shown in FIGS. 64-66 with modifications and the unit in FIGS. 56and 57, using a cutter bar above the cordon.

[0432] Step 2. Shoot Thinning

[0433] Use shoot thinners shown in FIGS. 2-7, 10-14, and 32 to thinshoots if needed when shoots are 4″ to 5″ (10-13 cm).

[0434] Step 3. Fruit Adjustment

[0435] Approximately 25-30 days post bloom, excess fruit may be removedwith machines shown in FIGS. 2-7, 10-14, 32, and 53-55 (amount andtiming is dependent on cultivar, fruit set, crop load, vine size andvigor). To determine the amount of fruit load to retain, it is criticalto maintain adequate soil moisture, to optimize fertilization, tocontrol pests and to optimize other critical production factors. Also,in regions with short growing seasons, the number of days after harvestand before frost become a consideration for determining fruit load.

[0436] Step 4. Leaf Removal

[0437] Approximately 25-30 days post bloom, use machines shown in FIGS.39 and 40 to remove excessive leaves in fruiting zone to expose 50 to80% of fruit to sunlight. This will improve fruit quality and aid indisease control through increasing light and air flow in the fruitingzone.

[0438] Step 5. Harvesting

[0439] Use an approved commercial harvester such as a harvester equippedwith Quad-rods or bow-rods to remove difficult-to-harvest fruit. Thisharvesting approach allows for excellent fruit removal and does minimaldamage to foliage. A harvester should allow for vines to maintainmaximum foliage that is capable of carrying out needed photosynthesisand storage of carbohydrates in the vines until frost and/or leaf drop.

EXAMPLE VI

[0440] Mechanization of Vitis vinifera and French-American Hybrid GrapesProduced on GDC and Other Divided Canopy Trellises

[0441] Step 1. Dormant Pruning

[0442] Mechanical prune during the dormant season using the mechanicalpruner shown in FIGS. 56 and 57.

[0443] Step 2. Touch-Up Pruning and Shoot Thinning

[0444] Use mechanical pruner shown in FIG. 57 with modificationsincluding the removal of the inside cutter bar and in FIG. 60 totouch-up prune the vines. To thin shoots, if needed, use shoot thinnerin FIGS. 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, and 27 when shoots are 4″ to 5″ (10-13 cm).

[0445] Step 3. Fruit Adjustment

[0446] Approximately 25-30 days post bloom, excess fruit may be removedwith units in FIGS. 53-55 using one half row unit modified for thinningGDC (etc.) (amount and timing is dependent on cultivar, fruit set, cropload, vine size and vigor). To determine the amount of fruit load toretain, it is critical to maintain adequate soil moisture, to optimizefertilization, to control pests and to optimize other criticalproduction factors. Also, in regions with short growing seasons, thenumber of days after harvest and before frost become a consideration fordetermining fruit load.

[0447] Step 4. Leaf Removal

[0448] Approximately 25-30 days post bloom, use machine shown in FIG. 34to remove excessive basal leaves in fruiting zone on the outside of thecanopy to expose 50 to 80% of fruit to sunlight. This will improve fruitquality and aid in disease control through increasing light and air flowin the fruiting zone.

[0449] Step 5. Break Centers

[0450] Open centers with the units shown in FIGS. 48-51.

[0451] Step 6. Harvesting

[0452] Use an approved commercial harvester such as a harvester equippedwith Quad-rods or bow-rods to remove difficult-to-harvest fruit. Thisharvesting approach allows for excellent fruit removal and does minimaldamage to foliage. A harvester should allow for vines to maintainmaximum foliage that is capable of carrying out needed photosynthesisand storage of carbohydrates in the vines until frost and/or leaf drop.

EXAMPLE VII

[0453] Mechanization of Minimal Pruned Vitis vinifera andFrench-American Hybrid Grapes Trained to a High Wire Single CordonTrellising System

[0454] Step 1. Shoot Thinning.

[0455] Use shoot thinners shown in FIGS. 10-14, 30, 32, and 53-55 tothin shoots when they are 4-5″ (10-13 cm).

[0456] Step 2. Fruit Adjustment

[0457] Approximately 25-30 days post bloom, excess fruit may be removedwith machines shown in FIGS. 53-55 (amount and timing is dependent oncultivar, fruit set, crop load, vine size and vigor). To determine theamount of fruit load to retain, it is critical to maintain adequate soilmoisture, to optimize fertilization, to control pests and to optimizeother critical production factors. Also, in regions with short growingseasons, the number of days after harvest and before frost becomes aconsideration for determining fruit load.

[0458] Step 3. Canopy removal

[0459] In vigorous, mature vineyards in cool and/or humid regions,remove the center top 12″ (30 cm) more or less with modified unit shownin FIG. 50.

[0460] Step 4. Minimal Pruning

[0461] Before harvest, trim all shoots to approximately 15″ (38 cm)above the vineyard floor using units shown in FIGS. 71 and 72.

[0462] Step 5. Harvesting

[0463] Use an approved commercial harvester such as a harvester equippedwith Quad-rods or bow-rods to remove difficult-to-harvest fruit. Thisharvesting approach allows for excellent fruit removal and does minimaldamage to foliage. A harvester should allow for vines to maintainmaximum foliage that is capable of carrying out needed photosynthesisand storage of carbohydrates in the vines until frost and/or leaf drop.

EXAMPLE VIII

[0464] Mechanization Activities of Minimal Pruned Vitis vinifera andFrench-American Hybrid Grapes Trained on GDC Trellis Systems

[0465] Step 1. Shoot Thinning.

[0466] Use shoot thinners (if needed) to eliminate some of the excessivebuds on the inside of each double curtain cordon when shoots are 2-3″(5-7.5 cm) with units shown in FIG. 18, and with modifications to unitsshown in FIGS. 22 and 53-55 for half row.

[0467] Step 2. Fruit Adjustment

[0468] Approximately 25-30 days post bloom, excess fruit may be removedusing modifications of half row unit shown in FIGS. 53-55 (amount andtiming is dependent on cultivar, fruit set, crop load, vine size andvigor). To determine the amount of fruit load to retain, it is criticalto maintain adequate soil moisture, to optimize fertilization, tocontrol pests and to optimize other critical production factors. Also,in regions with short growing seasons, the number of days after harvestand before frost becomes a consideration in determining fruit load.

[0469] Step 3. Minimal Pruning

[0470] At shatter, open centers with units in FIGS. 50 and 51. Beforeharvest, keep centers clean as needed with above units and trim allshoots to approximately 15″ (38 cm) above the vineyard floor using unitsshown in FIGS. 71 and 72.

[0471] Step 4. Harvesting

[0472] Use an approved commercial harvester such as a harvester equippedwith Quad-rods or bow-rods to remove difficult-to-harvest fruit. Thisharvesting approach allows for excellent fruit removal and does minimaldamage to foliage. A harvester should allow for vines to maintainmaximum foliage that is capable of carrying out needed photosynthesisand storage of carbohydrates in the vines until frost and/or leaf drop.

EXAMPLE IX

[0473] Mechanization of Vitis vinifera and French-American Hybrid GrapesProduced on Standard California T-trellis

[0474] Step 1. Dormant Pruning

[0475] Mechanical prune during the dormant season using the mechanicalpruner shown in FIGS. 61-63 and modified 71, 72 and 73.

[0476] Step 2. Shoot Thinning

[0477] If needed, use shoot thinner shown in FIGS. 9, 24, 28 and 31 tothin shoots when they are 4″ to 5″ (10-13 cm).

[0478] Step 3. Fruit Adjustment

[0479] Approximately 25-30 days post bloom, excess fruit may be removedwith modifications to machines shown in FIGS. 53, 54 and 55 (amount andtiming is dependent on cultivar, fruit set, crop load, vine size andvigor). To determine the amount of fruit load to retain, it is criticalto maintain adequate soil moisture, to optimize fertilization, tocontrol pests and to optimize other critical production factors. Also,in regions with short growing seasons, the number of days after harvestand before frost become a consideration for determining fruit load.

[0480] Step 4. Leaf Removal

[0481] Early leaf removal should expose 50-80% of fruit to sunlight andacclimate grape skins to sunlight exposure. Use machines shown in FIGS.39 and 40 with modifications.

[0482] Step 5. Harvesting

[0483] Use an approved commercial harvester such as a harvester equippedwith Quad-rods or bow-rods to remove difficult-to-harvest fruit. Thisharvesting approach allows for excellent fruit removal and does minimaldamage to foliage. A harvester should allow for vines to maintainmaximum foliage that is capable of carrying out needed photosynthesisand storage of carbohydrates in the vines until frost and/or leaf drop.

EXAMPLE X

[0484] Mechanization of Vitis vinifera and French-American Hybrid GrapesProduced on vertical Moveable Catch Wires

[0485] Step 1. Dormant Pruning

[0486] Mechanical prune during the dormant season using the mechanicalpruner shown in FIGS. 61-63.

[0487] Step 2. Shoot Thinning

[0488] Use shoot thinner shown in FIGS. 8 and 30 to thin shoots, ifneeded, when shoots are 4″ to 5″ (10-13 cm.)

[0489] Step 3. Fruit Adjustment

[0490] Approximately 25-30 days post bloom, excess fruit may be removedwith machines shown in FIGS. 30 and 53-55 with modification (amount andtiming is dependent on cultivar, fruit set, crop load, vine size andvigor). To determine the amount of fruit load to retain, it is criticalto maintain adequate soil moisture, to optimize fertilization, tocontrol pests and to optimize other critical production factors. Also,in regions with short growing seasons, the number of days after harvestand before frost become a consideration for determining fruit load.

[0491] Step 4. Leaf Removal

[0492] Approximately 25-30 days post bloom, use machines shown in FIGS.34-38 to remove excessive basal leaves in fruiting zone to expose 50 to80% of fruit to sunlight. This will improve fruit quality and aid indisease control through increasing light and air flow in the fruitingzone.

[0493] Step 5. Summer Pruning

[0494] Pruning in the summer time can be accomplished with the unit inFIGS. 56 and 57.

[0495] Step 6. Harvesting

[0496] Use an approved commercial harvester such as a harvester equippedwith Quad-rods or bow-rods to remove difficult-to-harvest fruit. Thisharvesting approach allows for excellent fruit removal and does minimaldamage to foliage. A harvester should allow for vines to maintainmaximum foliage that is capable of carrying out needed photosynthesisand storage of carbohydrates in the vines until frost and/or leaf drop.

EXAMPLE XI

[0497] Mechanization of Vitis vinifera and French-American Hybrid GrapesProduced on Lyre or “U” and Other Divided Canopy Trellises

[0498] Step 1. Dormant Pruning

[0499] Mechanical prune during the dormant season using modifications ofthe mechanical pruner shown in FIGS. 56-63.

[0500] Step 2. Fruit Adjustment and Shoot Thinning

[0501] When shoots are 4″ to 5″ (10-13 cm), they may be removed withmachines shown in FIGS. 15, 16, 20-23, 29, and 33. Approximately 25-30days post bloom, excess fruit may be removed with machines shown inFIGS. 29, 30, 33, 53, 54, and 55, modified for one half of curtain(amount and timing is dependent on cultivar, fruit set, crop load, vinesize and vigor). To determine the amount of fruit load to retain, it iscritical to maintain adequate soil moisture, to optimize fertilization,to control pests and to optimize other critical production factors.Also, in regions with short growing seasons, the number of days afterharvest and before frost become a consideration for determining fruitload.

[0502] Step 3. Leaf Removal

[0503] Approximately 25-30 days post bloom, use machines shown in FIGS.35-38 to remove excessive leaves in fruiting zone to expose 50 to 80% offruit to sunlight. This will improve fruit quality and aid in diseasecontrol through increasing light and air flow in the fruiting zone. Leafremoval is only recommended for reducing rot problems in susceptiblecultivars and under high vigor conditions.

[0504] Step 4. Summer Pruning

[0505] Use machine in FIGS. 56-60 to cut sides and tops for summerpruning. These vines must have their centers broken open. Usingmodifications with long slappers on the machine unit shown in FIG. 52.

[0506] Step 5. Harvesting

[0507] Use the harvester shown in FIG. 83 that has been adapted toharvest a modified Lyre or “U” trellis system. The standard Lyre or “U”trellis system can be modified with the movable cordon wire assemblyshown in FIGS. 84A, 84B, and 84D then harvested with the single orhalf-row harvester shown in FIG. 84 or the over-the-row harvester shownin FIG. 85.

EXAMPLE XII

[0508] Mechanization of Vitis vinifera and French-American Hybrid GrapesProduced on Smart-Dyson Ballerina (and Similar) Trellising System

[0509] Step 1. Dormant Pruning

[0510] Mechanical prune during the dormant season using the mechanicalpruner shown in FIGS. 61-63 (with modifications) on the upper part ofthe ballerina and the units in FIGS. 64-66 and that of FIG. 70 (withmodifications) on the lower part of the ballerina.

[0511] Step 2. Shoot Thinning

[0512] When shoots are 4-5″ (10-13 cm) use shoot thinners shown in FIGS.8 and 30, and those in FIGS. 53-55, with modifications, on the upperpart of the ballerina. Use shoot thinners shown in FIGS. 53-55(modified) on the lower part of the ballerina if needed.

[0513] Step 3. Fruit Adjustment

[0514] Approximately 25-30 days post bloom, excess fruit may be removedfrom the upper part of the ballerina with machines shown in FIGS. 53-55(amount and timing is dependent on cultivar, fruit set, crop load, vinesize and vigor). Excess fruit on the lower part of the ballerina may beremoved with units shown in FIGS. 53-55. The top and bottom obviouslyneed different settings or adjustments to accomplish fruit thinning. Todetermine the amount of fruit load to retain, it is critical to maintainadequate soil moisture, to optimize fertilization, to control pests andto optimize other critical production factors. Also, in regions withshort growing seasons, the number of days after harvest and before frostbecome a consideration for determining fruit load.

[0515] Step 4. Leaf Removal

[0516] Approximately 25-30 days post bloom, use machines shown in FIGS.34-38 (with modifications) on the upper part of the ballerina trellisand use units shown in FIGS. 39 and 40 on the lower portion of thetrellis to remove basal leaves. This may be needed to improve light andair flow in the fruiting zone.

[0517] Step 5. Summer Pruning

[0518] Summer prune upper part of ballerina with unit in FIGS. 56 and57. Trim all shoots on lower part of ballerina to approximately 15″ (38cm) above the vineyard floor before harvest with units shown on FIGS. 71and 72.

[0519] Step 6. Harvesting

[0520] Use an approved commercial harvester such as a harvester equippedwith Quad-rods or bow-rods to remove difficult-to-harvest fruit. Thisharvesting approach allows for excellent fruit removal and does minimaldamage to foliage. A harvester should allow for vines to maintainmaximum foliage that is capable of carrying out needed photosynthesisand storage of carbohydrates in the vines until frost and/or leaf drop.

[0521] Thus, it will be appreciated that as a result of the presentinvention, a highly effective, improved vineyard apparatus, system,and/or method for vineyard mechanization is provided by which theprincipal objective, among others, is completely fulfilled. It iscontemplated, and will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thepreceding description and accompanying drawings, that modificationsand/or changes may be made in the illustrated embodiments withoutdeparture from the present invention. Accordingly, it is expresslyintended that the foregoing description and accompanying drawings areillustrative of preferred embodiments only, not limiting, and that thetrue spirit and scope of the present invention be determined byreference to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoot and fruit thinner adapted to selectivelyprune vines in a vineyard by removing selected vegetative shoots and/orfruit from one or more vines, said shoot and fruit thinner comprising: adraft vehicle associated with a mobile power unit, said draft vehicleadapted to be moved about said vineyard along said vines; a framesupported by said vehicle, said frame having at least one rotary tooldepending therefrom, said tool adapted to selectively thin said shootsand/or said fruit on said vine as said vehicle moves about saidvineyard, said tool powered by said power unit; and, controls associatedwith said power unit for selectively manipulating said tool to controlthe amount of thinning of said shoots and/or fruit.
 2. The shoot andfruit thinner as recited in claim 1, wherein said tool is supported byan articulating arm secured to said frame.
 3. The shoot and fruitthinner as recited in claim 2, wherein said tool comprises a circulardisc mounting a plurality of radially spaced apart fingers.
 4. The shootand fruit thinner as recited in claim 2, wherein said tool comprises acircular brush adapted to be rotated by said power unit.
 5. The shootand fruit thinner as recited in claim 2, wherein said tool comprises anoval chain unit mounting a plurality of regularly spaced apart fingers.6. The shoot and fruit thinner as recited in claim 1, wherein said framecomprises a platform pivotally secured to said vehicle.
 7. The shoot andfruit thinner as recited in claim 2, wherein said articulating armcomprises an upper and lower arm, and wherein said tool is secured tosaid lower arm.
 8. The shoot and fruit thinner as recited in claim 3,wherein said fingers are flexible finger pairs having a first fingeradjacent a second finger.
 9. The shoot and fruit thinner as recited inclaim 8, wherein said first and second fingers of each finger pair areformed from an elastomeric material, rubber, plastic, or the like. 10.The shoot and fruit thinner as recited in claim 5, wherein said fingersare flexible finger pairs having a first finger adjacent a secondfinger.
 11. The shoot and fruit thinner as recited in claim 10, whereinsaid first and second fingers of each finger pair are formed from anelastomeric material, rubber, plastic, or the like.
 12. The shoot andfruit thinner as recited in claim 1 further comprising a guide wheelprotruding forwardly from said frame, said guide wheel adapted to rollalong a central wire on a trellis as said vehicle moves forwardly alongsaid vine.
 13. The shoot and fruit thinner as recited in claim 12,wherein said tool is supported by an articulating arm secured to saidframe.
 14. The shoot and fruit thinner as recited in claim 13, whereinsaid tool comprises a circular disc mounting a plurality of radiallyspaced apart fingers.
 15. The shoot and fruit thinner as recited inclaim 13, wherein said tool comprises a circular brush adapted to berotated by said power unit.
 16. The shoot and fruit thinner as recitedin claim 11, wherein said tool comprises an oval chain unit mounting aplurality of regularly spaced apart fingers.
 17. The shoot and fruitthinner as recited in claim 13, wherein said frame comprises a platformpivotally secured to said vehicle.
 18. The shoot and fruit thinner asrecited in claim 13, wherein said articulating arm comprises an upperand lower arm, and wherein said tool is secured to said lower arm. 19.The shoot and fruit thinner as recited in claim 14, wherein said fingersare flexible finger pairs having a first finger adjacent a secondfinger.
 20. The shoot and fruit thinner as recited in claim 19, whereinsaid first and second fingers of each finger pair are formed from anelastomeric material, rubber, plastic, and the like.
 21. The shoot andfruit thinner as recited in claim 16, wherein said fingers are flexiblefinger pairs having a first finger adjacent a second finger.
 22. Theshoot and fruit thinner as recited in claim 21, wherein said first andsecond fingers of each finger pair are formed from an elastomericmaterial, rubber, plastic, and the like.
 23. The shoot and fruit thinneras recited in claim 13, wherein said mobile power unit includes a remotehydraulic motor rotating said tool, by driving a first gear in contactwith an endless chain, said endless chain driving a second gearassociated with said rotating tool, and a shield covering said chain toprevent inadvertent contact with said vine, shoots, and/or fruit. 24.The shoot and fruit thinner as recited in claim 23, wherein said toolcomprises a circular disc having a plurality of radial flexible fingersand driven by said hydraulic motor.
 25. The shoot and fruit thinner asrecited in claim 23, wherein said tool comprises a circular brush drivenby said hydraulic motor.
 26. The shoot and fruit thinner as recited inclaim 23, wherein said tool comprises an oval chain unit having aplurality of flexible fingers and driven by said hydraulic motor.
 27. Aharvester adapted to be moved along a vine supported by a trellis in avineyard to harvest fruit therefrom, said harvester comprising: awheeled frame for moving a picking head along said vine; said pickinghead adapted to substantially surround a portion of said vine to beharvested; a collecting conveyor located beneath said picking head, saidcollecting conveyor catching falling fruit from said portion of saidvine during harvesting and subsequently transporting said collectedfruit rearwardly; a cross conveyor operatively intersecting saidcollecting conveyor adjacent the rear of said frame, said cross conveyoraccepting collected fruit from said collecting conveyor and subsequentlytransporting said collected fruit to the periphery of said frame;flexible scales extending from said frame and adapted to contact saidtrellis, said scales providing a substantially impervious barrier to theegression of falling fruit; and, an apron for transferring said fallingfruit to said collecting conveyor; and, drive means for moving saidframe along said vine.
 28. The modified harvester as recited in claim27, wherein said harvester is a half-row harvester and said picking headsurrounds substantially half of said trellis.
 29. The modified harvesteras recited in claim 27, wherein said harvester is a full-row harvesterand said picking head surrounds substantially all of said trellis. 30.The modified harvester as recited in claim 27, wherein said picking headincludes at least one vibrating tool having a rotary head with aplurality of protruding spikes, said spikes adapted to contact a cordonwire and shake said vine as said harvester moves along said vine. 31.The modified harvester as recited in claim 27, wherein said picking headincludes at least one striker unit having first and second rows ofopposing strikers adapted to intermittently contact said vine duringharvesting.
 32. The trellis anchoring system as recited in claim 18adapted for use with a modified lyre trellis and to facilitate vineyardmechanization, said system including a guide wire anchoring supportcomprising a U-member supported by first and second vertical membersextending upwardly from a subterranean cross member.
 33. The trellisanchoring system as recited in claim 32, wherein said u-member has twospaced apart parallel vertical uprights joined by a horizontal crossmember.
 34. The trellis anchoring system as recited in claim 33, whereinsaid cross member is attached to the top of said first vertical memberand said second vertical member supports two horizontal cross bracesextending to said horizontal cross member adjacent each of said verticaluprights.
 35. The trellis anchoring system as recited in claim 34,wherein said first vertical member supports a central wire just belowsaid horizontal cross member, a support wire is attached to each of saidvertical uprights adjacent said horizontal cross member, a cordon wireis attached to each of said vertical uprights above each of said supportwires, and one or more catch wires are attached to each of said verticaluprights above said cordon wire and spaced vertically from each other.36. The trellis anchoring system as recited in claim 35, wherein each ofsaid catch wires is attached to said vertical uprights in an adjustablemanner to selectively tension said vine.
 37. The trellis anchoringsystem as recited in claim 36 further comprising hooks or catches onsaid vertical uprights to releasably secure chains on the ends of saidcatch wires to said vertical uprights.